Latest news with #Let'sLearn
The Intercept
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Intercept
PBS Station Wipes Drag and Trans Content After DOGE Outcry
The New York-area PBS station WNET has scrubbed its archives of at least three educational TV episodes that discuss transgender identity and drag expression, The Intercept has learned, as Congress and the Trump administration target public broadcasters with attempts to strip their funding. The station's educational program 'Let's Learn' became an object of ire for the House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency this spring over the 2021 episode 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish,' in which the drag queen and children's author Lil Miss Hot Mess sings about drag performance to the tune of 'The Wheels on the Bus.' The subcommittee's chair, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., opened the 'Anti-American Airwaves' hearing in March by claiming that 'PBS News is not just left-leaning, but it actively uses taxpayer funds to push some of the most radical, left positions like featuring a drag queen on the show' and calling Lil Miss Hot Mess a 'child predator' and a 'monster.' Far from defending the programming, PBS CEO Paula Kerger distanced the broadcaster from the show. 'The drag queen was actually not on any of our kids' shows,' she said, claiming the episode made it to the PBS website by mistake and had already been removed. PBS followed up with a letter that said it had 'removed all remaining references to the Episode' online on March 26, 2025. But it wasn't just PBS: The New York member station that produces 'Let's Learn' — which had stood by the episode under scrutiny in previous years — then quietly removed the episode across its platforms, according to an Intercept analysis. WNET also erased two other episodes about a children's book featuring a a transgender protagonist, the analysis shows. WNET did not respond to requests for comment. A PBS spokesperson reiterated Kerger's claim that the episode was uploaded by mistake and said its removal was unrelated to the current political climate, but did not respond to questions about why over 250 other 'Let's Learn' episodes are still available for viewing on the official PBS website. Public broadcasting was an object of U.S. conservative wrath for decades before the Trump administration. But as the current government has intensified its attacks, PBS has engaged in other recent examples of self-censorship. PBS removed a scene in which Art Spiegelman discusses an anti-Trump cartoon from a documentary about the artist, and it pulled a gaming documentary with transgender themes from planned syndication — then relisted it after The Atlantic asked about the deletion. But the erasure of WNET's programming on drag and transgender culture shows the effects reaching a local level, where the station that produced the episodes elected to take them down — despite previously having defended them. After premiering in the spring of 2021, 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish' quickly garnered social media outrage and news coverage. Following the first round of backlash, WNET added a disclaimer on its YouTube channel and the 'Let's Learn' website, noting that the series is 'not funded or distributed by PBS.' But at the time, WNET defended the episode, telling Fox News that Let's Learn 'strives to incorporate themes that explore diversity and promote inclusivity, which are relevant to education and society. Drag is a performance art that can inspire creative thinking and the questioning of stereotypes.' The outrage didn't go away: Two years later, Oklahoma's Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt explicitly mentioned the episode when he vetoed a bill to extend funding for his state's PBS station. Despite all the attention, WNET continued to make the episode available — until this year. An Intercept analysis showed that following the DOGE hearing, WNET quietly removed all mentions of the episode across its platforms. The original episode page now displays a generic error message, reading 'Oops! The page you are looking for was not found.' 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish' no longer appears in a list of episode titles, and the video is listed as private on the WNET Education YouTube channel. WNET also instructed search engines not to list the episode's old webpage. Aside from removing 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish,' WNET has additionally removed at least two more 'Let's Learn' episodes, The Intercept has found. In the November 2020 episode 'Max and the Talent Show,' author Kyle Lukoff reads his book of the same name. The story concerns a white transgender boy named Max who helps his Black male friend Steven prepare for a talent show and 'find the perfect gown, shoes, cape, and tiara,' according to the School Library Journal. The journal calls the book 'an excellent choice as an early reader with an LGBTQIA+ theme.' WNET removed that episode and another, called 'Brain and Same Both Have Long 'A.'' That hourlong episode also features 'Max and the Talent Show,' which students read in order to 'practice sounds with the long 'a.'' Although it has been erased from PBS and WNET platforms, 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish' can still be viewed via the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine.
Buzz Feed
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
Marjorie Taylor Greene Showed My Photo In A DOGE Hearing And Called Me A Monster. Here's Why I'm Fighting Back.
Late last month, I was surprised to wake up to a flurry of text messages: 'Girl, you're all over Congress!' As I opened link after link, I was met with a surreal array of photos showing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene leading a DOGE subcommittee hearing, and to my surprise, behind her was an oversized portrait of me. I rolled my eyes and dreamed about going back to bed. As a drag queen who reads and writes children's books, this was certainly not the first time I have faced attacks, by politicians and otherwise. My books have been challenged and banned, events have been protested, and my name and likeness have been used in myriad disingenuous attempts to stoke fear about LGBTQ+ people, including by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, it was the first time that I had been directly referenced in the halls of Congress. My first thought to myself was: At least she chose a gorgeous photo. Ironically, it was one of my own headshots depicting a friendly smile and red, white and blue sequin stars — a stark contrast to Greene's own scowling face that dominated press photos of her testimony. My second: It's funny that Greene and other MAGA Republicans have yet to learn that it's a bad idea to pick a fight with a drag queen. Still, Greene's comments were no laughing matter: Given her long track record as a conspiracy theorist and anti-LGBTQ+ crusader, Greene unsurprisingly spread not only slanderous hate but also defamatory disinformation. She cited me as a reason to eradicate federal funding for PBS and NPR, contending that NPR and PBS 'push some of the most radical left positions, like featuring a drag queen on the show Let's Learn.' She continued: '[A]s a mother who raised three children, I felt confident that I could leave the room while my own children were watching children's programming on PBS. But … if I had walked in my living room or one of my children's bedrooms and seen this child predator and this monster targeting my children, I would become unglued.' Needless to say, her already highly unglued name-calling insinuates claims about me that are patently false. She is correct that I once appeared on the public television program 'Let's Learn,' reading my picture book The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish — a playful parody meant to encourage kids to express their inner fabulousness. But the reality, as PBS CEO Paula Kerger made clear, is that the show was produced by local affiliate WNET, not by PBS itself. Additionally, her rhetoric suggesting that LGBTQ-affirmative media is a form of 'sexualizing and grooming … brainwashing and transing children' is not only false, but offensive. As I noted in my initial response: This rerun is tired and boring. That is, it is part of a well-worn playbook that goes back decades, as exemplified by Anita Bryant's 'Save Our Children' campaign of the 1970s, and which has sadly been mainstreamed by Republicans in recent years. In the hearing itself, several Democratic members of the committee playfully poked fun at Greene. Rep. Robert Garcia jokingly inquired: 'The American people want to know: Is Elmo now, or has he ever been, a member of the Communist Party? ... Because he is red.' Such a humorous response, from an openly gay politician no less, earns snaps from me: His silly approach highlights the absurdity of Greene's own questions. Largely missing from this political circus, however, was a strong defense of diverse public media. While Kerger and NPR CEO Katherine Maher thoughtfully refuted false claims, they did not make a clear case for the importance of featuring diverse voices and stories. To be clear: I mean no shade to either of these public media leaders, as they were put in a very difficult position. However, I highlight a broader issue: We must do more than react to false claims; we must proactively reshape the narrative to make our case for diversity in public media and institutions. I'll say it loud and proud: Drag performers belong on public television, in public libraries and beyond. Of course, drag performers are not the only example of diverse artists who belong in public media and spaces: We are simply one flavor of the creativity and brilliance that exists among LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled, migrant, working-class and other historically marginalized and resilient communities. And we all deserve a pride of place on bookshelves, in television programming, curricula, story hours and more. It is in this spirit that revered scholar Rudine Sims Bishop famously described children's literature as offering windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors. In this beautiful metaphor, she acknowledged the need for children to learn about the world around them, see themselves reflected and step into stories through their imaginations. Given that all children (and adults) are a blend of intersecting identities, we need diverse media to offer multiple points of view. Any attempt to suppress such heterogeneity is not only unethical, it is also incorrect and leaves children with a partial story of the world around them. In my own childhood as a white, middle-class, Jewish, queer and genderqueer person, it was precisely through children's books and television that I learned about the world. While I often had the privilege of seeing communities that looked similar to mine, I only rarely caught glimpses of queerness and gender diversity. (Still, in retrospect, queer authors and characters have always been present, but recognizing them required skills in reading between the lines.) In my work now as a children's author, I work diligently to ensure that characters represent a multitude of not only identities and bodies, but also styles and attitudes. Indeed, most educational and political organizations recognize the importance of access to diverse media not only for young people's social and emotional development, but for democratic societies to function. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child insists that children 'have the right to freedom of expression,' including 'freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds … in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice' and specifically defends access to 'material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources.' Inherent in these understandings is a recognition of children's autonomy — which Greene and her compatriots would rather ignore. Of course, children need guidance and care, but they are also already capable of curious and capacious thinking. It is hardly surprising that a politician like Greene, who seems to lack such skills herself, fails to see the strength of such imagination and independence. Instead, she attempts to bully others to think and act exactly like she does. What is ironic about Greene's attacks is that while she accuses public media, children's authors and drag storytellers like myself of 'brainwashing' children, it is Greene who wants to control minds through censorship. But drag can be an antidote. And that's exactly why drag performers belong in public education and media. As I have written previously for HuffPost, drag is not a form of indoctrination, but a deep practice of imagination. It does not represent 'gender ideology,' but an encouragement to ask thoughtful questions about how and why we categorize people into boxes. It is an historic art form, rooted in queer and trans communities around the world, that promotes self-expression and building chosen family. Children who are lucky enough to encounter drag performers at their local Drag Story Hours — or in books and on screens — resonate with them because they encourage forms of fantasy and playfulness that many adults have forgotten in their own lives. And it is that ability to imagine something else — whether a different gender expression, or a just a fabulous future for everyone — that threatens those in power. To paraphrase a brilliant observation from a friend's young child: Drag queens, kings and other fabulous beings aren't really royalty; rather, we derive our power through hard work and by promoting pleasure and joy. In my books, children are not told what to do; instead, they are invited to try out new tunes, dance steps, ways of being their brightest selves. While haters like Greene might find swishing one's hips or shimmying one's shoulders 'repulsive,' I recommend she give it a try: Kids love it, and it might help her loosen up a bit to express herself more authentically. In my upcoming book Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color, young readers are encouraged to color outside the lines by learning the names of unconventional colors and mixing and matching hues to their hearts' content. It's a simple enough premise, with a goal to celebrate the beauty in the world around us. And yet, I brace myself for whatever nefarious interpretations critics like Greene might offer, as well as the unfortunate likelihood that in a culture in which rainbow flags are being banned, it too will face book bans. Many of the current attacks on art and education are absurd and ridiculous — but, much like the art of drag, that hardly means we should not take them seriously. Since those currently in power claim to support freedom when, in fact, they promote fascism, it is no surprise that they seek to eradicate public institutions and art forms that promote freedom of thought and expression. We've seen that show, and its finale doesn't end well. But it is up to all of us to remember that politicians like Greene and President Donald Trump are not queens or kings — they're bullies. And you never cave in to a bully: Instead, you outwit them, show them the error of their ways and remind them that it's more fun on your side. So, it's time to stand our ground: not only against homophobia, transphobia and censorship, but for diverse public media, libraries, schools and other institutions. It just so happens that one of the best ways to do so is to tap into our inner drag queens, get in formation to snap back, stomp our way through the streets — and vanquish the real monsters. Lil Miss Hot Mess is the author of the children's books 'Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color,' 'If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It,' and 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish,' and serves on the board of Drag Queen Story Hour. She has appeared on world-class stages like SFMOMA, Stanford University, and Saturday Night Live, was a founding organizer of the #MyNameIs campaign that challenged Facebook's 'real names' policy. When not twirling, Lil Miss Hot Mess is a professor of media studies. Follow her on social media @LilMissHotMess, and learn more at
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Himanshi Singh
Himanshi Singh began her journey as an education content creator in 2016 when she launched her YouTube channel "Let's Learn". Motivated by her own experiences and the challenges faced by aspiring teachers in India, she aimed to provide accessible and comprehensive guidance for teaching eligibility exams like CTET and TET. Drawing inspiration from her father's career as a government teacher, Himanshi pursued her Diploma in Elementary Education, she and started sharing exam preparation strategies online. Himanshi has been honoured with the Women's Achiever's Award 2025 for Delhi NCR and the Heart and Soul Women Rising Award.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Marjorie Taylor Greene Showed My Photo In A DOGE Hearing And Called Me A Monster. Here's Why I'm Fighting Back.
Late last month, I was surprised to wake up to a flurry of text messages: 'Girl, you're all over Congress!' As I opened link after link, I was met with a surreal array of photos showing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene leading a DOGE subcommittee hearing, and to my surprise, behind her was an oversized portrait of me. I rolled my eyes and dreamed about going back to bed. As a drag queen who reads and writes children's books, this was certainly not the first time I have faced attacks, by politicians and otherwise. My books have been challenged and banned, events have been protested, and my name and likeness have been used in myriad disingenuous attempts to stoke fear about LGBTQ+ people, including by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, it was the first time that I had been directly referenced in the halls of Congress. My first thought to myself was: At least she chose a gorgeous photo. Ironically, it was one of my own headshots depicting a friendly smile and red, white and blue sequin stars — a stark contrast to Greene's own scowling face that dominated press photos of her testimony. My second: It's funny that Greene and other MAGA Republicans have yet to learn that it's a bad idea to pick a fight with a drag queen. Still, Greene's comments were no laughing matter: Given her long track record as a conspiracy theorist and anti-LGBTQ+ crusader, Greene unsurprisingly spread not only slanderous hate but also defamatory disinformation. She cited me as a reason to eradicate federal funding for PBS and NPR, contending that NPR and PBS 'push some of the most radical left positions, like featuring a drag queen on the show Let's Learn.' She continued: '[A]s a mother who raised three children, I felt confident that I could leave the room while my own children were watching children's programming on PBS. But … if I had walked in my living room or one of my children's bedrooms and seen this child predator and this monster targeting my children, I would become unglued.' Needless to say, her already highly unglued name-calling insinuates claims about me that are patently false. She is correct that I once appeared on the public television program 'Let's Learn,' reading my picture book 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish' — a playful parody meant to encourage kids to express their inner fabulousness. But the reality, as PBS CEO Paula Kerger made clear, is that the show was produced by local affiliate WNET, not by PBS itself. Additionally, her rhetoric suggesting that LGBTQ-affirmative media is a form of 'sexualizing and grooming … brainwashing and transing children' is not only false, but offensive. As I noted in my initial response: This rerun is tired and boring. That is, it is part of a well-worn playbook that goes back decades, as exemplified by Anita Bryant's 'Save Our Children' campaign of the 1970s, and which has sadly been mainstreamed by Republicans in recent years. In the hearing itself, several Democratic members of the committee playfully poked fun at Greene. Rep. Robert Garcia jokingly inquired: 'The American people want to know: Is Elmo now, or has he ever been, a member of the Communist Party? ... Because he is red.' Such a humorous response, from an openly gay politician no less, earns snaps from me: His silly approach highlights the absurdity of Greene's own questions. Largely missing from this political circus, however, was a strong defense of diverse public media. While Kerger and NPR CEO Katherine Maher thoughtfully refuted false claims, they did not make a clear case for the importance of featuring diverse voices and stories. To be clear: I mean no shade to either of these public media leaders, as they were put in a very difficult position. However, I highlight a broader issue: We must do more than react to false claims; we must proactively reshape the narrative to make our case for diversity in public media and institutions. I'll say it loud and proud: Drag performers belong on public television, in public libraries and beyond. Of course, drag performers are not the only example of diverse artists who belong in public media and spaces: We are simply one flavor of the creativity and brilliance that exists among LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled, migrant, working-class and other historically marginalized and resilient communities. And we all deserve a pride of place on bookshelves, in television programming, curricula, story hours and more. It is in this spirit that revered scholar Rudine Sims Bishop famously described children's literature as offering windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors. In this beautiful metaphor, she acknowledged the need for children to learn about the world around them, see themselves reflected and step into stories through their imaginations. Given that all children (and adults) are a blend of intersecting identities, we need diverse media to offer multiple points of view. Any attempt to suppress such heterogeneity is not only unethical, it is also incorrect and leaves children with a partial story of the world around them. In my own childhood as a white, middle-class, Jewish, queer and genderqueer person, it was precisely through children's books and television that I learned about the world. While I often had the privilege of seeing communities that looked similar to mine, I only rarely caught glimpses of queerness and gender diversity. (Still, in retrospect, queer authors and characters have always been present, but recognizing them required skills in reading between the lines.) In my work now as a children's author, I work diligently to ensure that characters represent a multitude of not only identities and bodies, but also styles and attitudes. Indeed, most educational and political organizations recognize the importance of access to diverse media not only for young people's social and emotional development, but for democratic societies to function. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child insists that children 'have the right to freedom of expression,' including 'freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds … in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice' and specifically defends access to 'material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources.' Inherent in these understandings is a recognition of children's autonomy — which Greene and her compatriots would rather ignore. Of course, children need guidance and care, but they are also already capable of curious and capacious thinking. It is hardly surprising that a politician like Greene, who seems to lack such skills herself, fails to see the strength of such imagination and independence. Instead, she attempts to bully others to think and act exactly like she does. What is ironic about Greene's attacks is that while she accuses public media, children's authors and drag storytellers like myself of 'brainwashing' children, it is Greene who wants to control minds through censorship. But drag can be an antidote. And that's exactly why drag performers belong in public education and media. As I have written previously for HuffPost, drag is not a form of indoctrination, but a deep practice of imagination. It does not represent 'gender ideology,' but an encouragement to ask thoughtful questions about how and why we categorize people into boxes. It is an historic art form, rooted in queer and trans communities around the world, that promotes self-expression and building chosen family. Children who are lucky enough to encounter drag performers at their local Drag Story Hours — or in books and on screens — resonate with them because they encourage forms of fantasy and playfulness that many adults have forgotten in their own lives. And it is that ability to imagine something else — whether a different gender expression, or a just a fabulous future for everyone — that threatens those in power. To paraphrase a brilliant observation from a friend's young child: Drag queens, kings and other fabulous beings aren't really royalty; rather, we derive our power through hard work and by promoting pleasure and joy. In my books, children are not told what to do; instead, they are invited to try out new tunes, dance steps, ways of being their brightest selves. While haters like Greene might find swishing one's hips or shimmying one's shoulders 'repulsive,' I recommend she give it a try: Kids love it, and it might help her loosen up a bit to express herself more authentically. In my upcoming book 'Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color,' young readers are encouraged to color outside the lines by learning the names of unconventional colors and mixing and matching hues to their hearts' content. It's a simple enough premise, with a goal to celebrate the beauty in the world around us. And yet, I brace myself for whatever nefarious interpretations critics like Greene might offer, as well as the unfortunate likelihood that in a culture in which rainbow flags are being banned, it too will face book bans. Many of the current attacks on art and education are absurd and ridiculous — but, much like the art of drag, that hardly means we should not take them seriously. Since those currently in power claim to support freedom when, in fact, they promote fascism, it is no surprise that they seek to eradicate public institutions and art forms that promote freedom of thought and expression. We've seen that show, and its finale doesn't end well. But it is up to all of us to remember that politicians like Greene and President Donald Trump are not queens or kings — they're bullies. And you never cave in to a bully: Instead, you outwit them, show them the error of their ways and remind them that it's more fun on your side. So, it's time to stand our ground: not only against homophobia, transphobia and censorship, but for diverse public media, libraries, schools and other institutions. It just so happens that one of the best ways to do so is to tap into our inner drag queens, get in formation to snap back, stomp our way through the streets — and vanquish the real monsters. Lil Miss Hot Mess is the author of the children's books 'Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color,' 'If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It,' and 'The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish,' and serves on the board of Drag Queen Story Hour. She has appeared on world-class stages like SFMOMA, Stanford University, and Saturday Night Live, was a founding organizer of the #MyNameIs campaign that challenged Facebook's 'real names' policy. When not twirling, Lil Miss Hot Mess is a professor of media studies. Follow her on social media @LilMissHotMess, and learn more at Do you have a compelling personal story you'd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we're looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans grill PBS, NPR chiefs as Democrats mock proceedings
At the start of Wednesday's congressional hearing on the funding of public media, a large photo of drag queen Lil Miss Hot Mess appearing on a PBS kids show was displayed behind committee chair Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) That image set the tone for the hearing in Washington in which Greene and other Republican House members hammered PBS Chief Executive Paula Kerger and NPR Chief Executive Katherine Maher over their programming and perceived liberal bias. The two public media entities have become frequent targets in the GOP's efforts to reduce government spending. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which directs federal funds to public media, currently receives $500 million a year in government money, a minuscule portion of the federal budget. Lil Miss Hot Mess performed on "Let's Learn," produced by New York public station WNET, in 2021, in what Republicans call an example of a left-wing political agenda. "If I had walked into one of my children's bedrooms and seeing this child predator and this monster targeting my children, I would become unglued," Greene said. "This is not the only example of (PBS) sexualizing and grooming children." Kerger said the segment was posted on the PBS website and never aired nationally on TV. It was removed from the site after one month. The Republicans chastised the media executives over their lack of coverage of Hunter Biden's laptop during the 2020 presidential campaign and reports that the COVID-19 virus could have originated in a Chinese lab. "NPR and PBS can hate us on their own dime," Greene said. "It's time for the American taxpayer to stop footing the bill." She described the two services as "left-wing echo chambers for a narrow audience of mostly white urban liberals and progressives who generally look down on and judge rural America." Both Kerger and Maher emphasized the ability of PBS and NPR to provide programming in rural areas that don't have access to broadband internet services. They also noted that most of the federal dollars for public media go to local outlets directly serving their communities. Loss of those funds would mean that some PBS and NPR stations in smaller markets would cease to operate. "In rural areas, PBS stations are the only outlet providing coverage of local events — for example, high school sports, local history, culture, candidates debates at every level of the election ballot and specialized agricultural news," Kerger said. The outlets also deliver public safety information and emergency alerts, she added. Kerger noted that PBS educations shows are highly valued in communities where preschool programs are not available. She recounted how during a recent trip to visit a Nebraska station, she heard from residents who said their young children learned how to read by watching PBS shows. Democrats were mocking in their remarks at the hearing. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), asked Kerger in jest if "Sesame Street's" Elmo is a communist. "Because he's obviously red," Garcia noted. Several members said Republican lawmakers' time would be better spent focusing on how journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was able to get on a text chain with military and intelligence officials as they planned an attack on the Houthis. "The Republicans have actually organized this goofy hearing to try to convince the American people that PBS and NPR are 'domestic threats,' not the incompetent, unqualified Secretary of Defense who's texting war plans to journalists," said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). The Republicans' other argument against taxpayer funding of PBS and NPR is that their role as an alternative nonprofit provider of news and programming is antiquated in an age where consumers have a myriad of information choices through the internet. Read more: The Conversation: PBS President Paula Kerger on replacing Charlie Rose, keeping Ken Burns and streaming The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was formed in 1967, when the country had three networks and a handful of TV stations in each market. The GOP attacks were harsher on NPR and its leader Maher than they were on PBS. Legislators zeroed in on Maher's statements before she became head of NPR, in which she called Trump "a deranged racist sociopath" and described the terms "boy" and "girl" as "erasing language for nonbinary people." Maher said she regretted the comment on Trump, which she made while she was still head of the Wikimedia Foundation. The attacks on NPR were fortified by a 2024 article by former longtime editor Uri Berliner, who wrote in the Free Press that the service was seeing a decline in listeners because it had "lost America's trust." Berliner said NPR overplayed the investigation of Russian collusion with the Trump campaign in the 2016 presidential election. He also said the news operation turned a blind eye to the story of the laptop abandoned by President Biden's son Hunter in October 2020, out of concern that coverage of the matter would help reelect Trump. Maher pointed out she was not at NPR but agreed that the laptop story deserved coverage. She said the service has since launched an initiative to improve its editorial processes "to make sure all pieces are fair and comprehensive." Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
