Editor’s Note: This editorial has been updated from the one run in the Daily Eastern News print edition as a result of the executive order regarding NPR and PBS.
Twelve hours ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for PBS and NPR to be defunded, citing political bias as the reason.
A month earlier, Trump posted foreshadowing this decision on social media, calling both “radical left monsters.”
This is the latest in a disgraceful series of decisions made to limit press freedom.
On April 28, the Federal Election Commission found NPR was not engaging in bias.
According to a YouGov study, for 22 consecutive years, PBS has been rated the most-trusted institution in America.
This funding cut could have devastating effects, especially in local communities.
PBS reaches over 130 million viewers each year according to its webpage, and NPR reaches over 43 million people weekly according to its webpage. EIU’s TV station WEIU News Watch is a PBS affiliate.
NPR and PBS provide storm coverage during emergencies to local communities, fill in news deserts across the country and so much more. PBS KIDS reaches over 15 million people, being a key learning device for many children across the country.
Last week, Bill Owens—executive producer of “60 Minutes” resigned from the news show citing a growing lack of independence from the company as his reason.
April 27, journalist Scott Pelley addressed “60 Minutes’” parent company Paramount on air and made the point clear: they are being censored.
According to Pelley, Paramount is pursuing a merger and needs the Trump administration’s approval to do so, leading to further “supervision” on content.
In March, Trump tried to end Voice of America, accusing it of being anti-Trump and radical propaganda according to BBC. VOA is an international news outlet primarily functioning in areas with limited press freedom. The executive order to end it was blocked.
In February, the Washington Post’s opinion editor quit after billionaire owner Jeff Bezos took over editorial policies, changing to be, “writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets,” with opposing viewpoints being “left to be published by others,” according to NPR. This comes after Bezos ended an editorial set to run endorsing Kamala Harris for president earlier in October.
Also in February, Trump banned the Associated Press, a national news organization widely considered one of the most unbiased, from the White House for its refusal to use Gulf of America as the name for the Gulf of Mexico. The Trump administration kept up the ban even after being court ordered to end it.
Let’s face the facts, journalist’s red flags are rightfully up. This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of the attacks on press freedom in the past four months.
We at the Daily Eastern News condemn this censorship. It is a deplorable attack on journalists everywhere.
A free press is the cornerstone of democracy. People need to know what is actually happening, and reading journalism is the most trustworthy way of finding that out.
The most well known and most important role of journalism is to watch powerful figures and hold them accountable, whether it be politicians, corporations or governments.
How can AP News inform the world about what’s happening in the White House when the doors have been slammed shut in their faces?
Historically, truthful administrations are not the ones shutting out press. This goes for any level whether it be in the federal government or a college administration.
EIU has largely been open with the Daily Eastern News this year, for that we have to extend a hand of gratitude.
But across the country, curtains are being closed on information. Things are being hidden; factual inaccuracies are coming out of government sources at an alarming rate.
Look at the Department of Government Efficiency. The New York Times found several times that this organization reported false numbers off by billions of dollars, not just hundreds. Finding this wasn’t without effort, as the department hid identifying information for each entry in later releases.
Freedom of the press has existed in this country since its inception. It was written in the First Amendment for a reason.
The First Amendment should never be neutralized in a state where a free press still stands.
We need to uphold the ideals of press freedom, but we as journalists cannot do this alone.
To EIU, keep true to your word. Don’t stop supporting a free press.
To our readers, keep reading journalism. Keep supporting student and professional media.
The Editorial Staff can be reached at 581-2812 or at deneic@gmail.com.
