To the editor: It’s not particularly shocking to see the Trump administration’s efforts to pull funding from public broadcasting. Historically, authoritarian regimes have often targeted the dismantling of public access to the creative arts. Ultimately, that’s what organizations like PBS and NPR provide. These creative arts are vital; they nurture the soul, which is fundamentally where fairness and basic human decency originate. In times of societal decay, it’s our soul that remains steadfast, our most resistant and true self. Influencing someone’s thoughts is far easier than touching their soul, which might explain why this administration seems intent on starving our collective cultural spirit.
Sheran James, Laguna Beach
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To the editor: During a recent House Oversight Committee meeting, representatives from NPR and PBS, including Katherine Maher and Paula Kerger, attempted to justify the substantial amount of government funding these organizations receive. Unfortunately, their defense was less than convincing. In an era characterized by trillion-dollar deficits, every dollar counts—even the relatively small sums that go towards supporting news outlets perceived as heavily biased.
John Hammerel, Santa Barbara
