New York — PBS has announced the closure of its diversity, equity and inclusion office in response to President Trump’s executive order and the termination of the two executives hired for this initiative in 2021.
This decision, which results in the job loss of Cecilia Loving and her colleague Gina Leow, comes as public television and radio prepare for a more intense battle over federal funding than in recent years.
Despite the disbanding of the DEI office, PBS CEO Paula Kerger stated on Tuesday, “we have been dedicated to sharing the stories of all Americans prior to establishing an office, and we will persist in that mission moving forward.”
Since PBS receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation for its children’s programming, its legal team concluded that compliance with Mr. Trump’s order was necessary. The network obtains roughly $535 million in general government support, accounting for about 16% of its budget, but since this funding is funneled through the private Corporation for Public Broadcasting, it’s uncertain if compliance is obligatory.
Various PBS member stations, of which there are 330, have their individual DEI initiatives and receive CPB funding, leaving their respective decisions regarding their offices up to them. “We are encouraging them to consult with legal counsel about their specific situations,” Kerger mentioned to The Associated Press.
The Free Press website revealed that PBS initially contemplated reallocating Loving and Leow to different roles within the organization. However, Kerger indicated that this option was ultimately discarded.
The DEI office addressed broader issues beyond racial equity; recently, much of its work focused on ensuring access to PBS programming for children with hearing impairments, as noted by Kerger.
Four years ago, PBS faced criticism from a different angle when over 130 filmmakers wrote to the organization, asserting that its partnership with documentarian Ken Burns compromised opportunities for others and highlighted a “systemic failure to fulfill a mandate for diverse voices.”
With the Trump administration’s ongoing aim to reduce federal spending, Kerger is aware that public broadcasting will be scrutinized closely. Republican Sen. Mike Lee from Utah expressed on X on Tuesday, “let’s defund PBS and NPR.”
This sentiment is not new, as Republicans have previously advocated for similar cuts, citing a belief that news programming tends to favor liberal viewpoints. Typically, attempts to defund PBS have been unsuccessful, largely due to advocacy from the numerous local stations nationwide.
Kerger, alongside NPR officials, is expected to testify next month before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
“I believe this time is different due to the heightened scrutiny,” Kerger stated. “I never take for granted that government funding will persist. We must diligently advocate for the importance of our work every time such inquiries arise.”
She pointed out that many individuals presume “bias is at play” when their perspectives aren’t reflected in news coverage. Some people find the reporting too conservative, while others argue it skews liberal. “We take our accountability seriously and rectify any oversights,” she said.
Kerger emphasized the significance of local stations’ efforts, such as community alerts during California wildfires and hurricanes in Florida, to ensure legislators recognize their impact.
“I tend to be an optimistic person,” Kerger remarked, “but I foresee that maintaining funding will require extensive dialogue.”
