Do NOT cut PBS and Other Free Educational Programming!

Public broadcasting is not just television. It’s a lifeline—for children who don’t have access to high-quality early education, for families who seek free, enriching content, and for communities that are often misrepresented or overlooked by commercial media. Cutting funding to PBS is not just a budget decision—it’s a statement about what we value as a nation. PBS programs have helped generations of Americans grow up with curiosity, empathy, and a love of learning. For many low-income families, PBS is one of the only free, accessible resources that fosters early literacy and educational development. Programs like Sesame Street, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Arthur, and Curious George don’t just entertain—they teach. They build social and emotional skills, encourage kindness, and support school readiness, especially for children who may be starting with fewer resources. Beyond children’s programming, PBS offers vital public affairs coverage, cultural programming, documentaries, and local storytelling. It showcases the richness of our country’s diversity and gives voice to people and issues that might otherwise go unheard. In a time when misinformation spreads rapidly and polarization is rising, we should be investing more—not less—in media that informs, educates, and unites. These proposed cuts send a troubling message. Undermining PBS doesn’t just hurt children’s education—it chips away at one of the few public spaces where Americans of all backgrounds can come together to learn and understand one another. It’s hard not to see this as part of a broader effort to discourage critical thinking and make it easier to divide people by fear, ignorance, and resentment. I urge you to reject any cuts to PBS and instead stand up for a country that values education, community, and access to knowledge for all—not just those who can afford it. We cannot build a better future by taking away the tools people need to grow.