Elmo is a Jerk and NPR Reporters are Meanies!

I started formulating my opinions about Elmo and PBS a long time ago. About twenty years ago, I interviewed a PBS viewer, and he shared, “yea I don’t like him, he makes me be nice, when I don’t wanna.” That young viewer was my son, age 6 at the time. Clearly, Elmo was trying to influence my son.

I get it, really. The current president has had some negative experiences with both PBS stars and NPR news. They have asked him questions he does not want to answer. Rude!

Let’s examine Big Bird, weirdly tall, always happy (God only know what meds he is taking?). Also, there is always a chance he might be linked to a terrorist group or gang. Then there is Burt and his ever-present friend, Ernie. People do not like how cozy they are. Very suspicious. HMMMMMM.

I am equally concerned with programs like Masterpiece Theatre and Downtown Abbey. Absolutely subversive. Very stuck up, if you ask me.

And do not get me started with those doo-doo heads at NPR. They are always “investigating” or “exploring new worlds” or providing “Fresh Air.” All that truthing and incisive investigative work is exhausting. Then the cultural exposure to others’ traditions - good Lord, who wants all that interesting and enlightening stuff coming at you all the time? Their calm and earnest demeanors are just sneaky, I think. Yikes, you cannot trust a reporter who is not yelling at you with hyperbolic claims without data. Everybody knows that. Duh.

So Really, Tell Me What Has PBS Done for Children?

Studies have shown that PBS programs, particularly Sesame Street, have a positive and measurable impact on children's educational development. Here are some key stats on their effectiveness:

1. Literacy and Literacy Skills:

   • Research indicates that children who watch Sesame Street between ages 3-5 demonstrate:

     • Higher literacy scores (approximately 1 year ahead in reading readiness) compared to non-viewers.

     • Significant gains in letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary.

2. School Readiness:

   • A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that children exposed to PBS early childhood programs showed:

     • Better readiness for kindergarten.

     • Improved social-emotional skills and self-control.

3. Long-Term Academic Benefits:

   • Longitudinal research shows that children who engaged with PBS early learning content tend to:

     • Perform better in school in subsequent years.

     • Have higher graduation rates later in life.

4. Impact on Underserved Communities:

   • In low-income populations, PBS programs and resources have contributed:

     • To narrowing the achievement gap in early literacy and numeracy skills.

     • Increased access to quality educational content outside of classroom settings.

5. Cost-Effectiveness:

   • The Children’s Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) estimates that for every dollar invested in Sesame Street, there is a return of approximately $12 in societal benefits related to improved education and social outcomes.

What the Heck Does NPR Do -Why Do We Need It? Turns out quite a bit…

1. Audience Reach:

   • As of recent data, NPR reaches approximately 30 million Americans each week through radio, digital platforms, and podcasts.

   • NPR's digital content garners over 50 million unique online visitors monthly, indicating substantial engagement.

2. Trust and Credibility:

   • Surveys, such as those by Edelman, show that NPR consistently ranks among the most trusted news sources in the U.S., with over 60% of Americans trusting NPR for accurate and balanced news coverage.

   • The Pew Research Center reports that NPR is one of the most trusted media organizations, especially among adults seeking in-depth, unbiased reporting.

3. Informational Impact:

   • A Nielsen study found that 70% of NPR listeners feel more informed about current events after listening.

   • NPR's coverage of critical issues like politics, health, and science helps shape public understanding and debates.

4. Educational and Civic Engagement:

   • NPR's programming encourages civic participation, with many listeners stating that NPR coverage motivates them to vote or engage in community issues.

   • NPR podcasts have increased awareness of social issues; for example, podcasts like Code Switch and Hidden Brain have millions of downloads, expanding public discussion on race, psychology, and societal challenges.

5. Diversity and Access:

   • NPR's commitment to diverse voices and topics reaches underserved communities and minority populations, fostering inclusivity and broader societal understanding.

That, right there, just proves it, right? We, as a country just cannot be opening up people’s minds all the time. Too expensive and scary! We certainly can’t be giving parents a break while kids are viewing the likes of Cookie Monster, Julia, Count von Count or Tango. Those characters will certainly not help kids be more confident, comfortable in the world, articulate, interested in learning or joyful. Nope. They must go.

As for NPR, Whew! Let’s get rid of those talented reporters, producers, on-air talent, production teams that have delivered robust Peabody-award/Pulitzer-prize winning stories and interviews. All that fact-based, objective reporting cannot be good for anyone. Yuck!

Historical Record: Republicans have been trying to remove funding for PBS and NPR forever…

The efforts by some Republicans to defund PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and NPR (National Public Radio) have been ongoing for several decades, reflecting broader debates over government funding of public media and its role for a half -century!

• Early 1990s: Criticism of public broadcasting emerged from conservative circles concerned about perceived biases, content, and the cost to taxpayers. Some legislators proposed reducing or eliminating federal funding for PBS and NPR, but these efforts generally did not succeed in enacting significant cuts.

• 2000s: During the George W. Bush administration and subsequent years, there remained occasional proposals from some Republicans to cut federal funding for public broadcasting, often citing concerns over ideological bias or fiscal conservatism.

• 2011: A notable milestone occurred when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives proposed budgets that included substantial cuts to federal funding for PBS and NPR. This was part of broader austerity measures. While some funding was reduced, many of these cuts were not fully enacted or were reversed in later budget negotiations.

• Recent Years: The debate has persisted, with some Republican lawmakers continuing to push for defunding or restricting federal support for public media, arguing it’s unnecessary government expenditure or that it promotes biased content. Conversely, supporters argue that public broadcasting provides an important educational and informational service, often serving underserved communities.

The attempts to de-educate Americans is nothing new, but must be stopped. As usual, use your voice and tell your story.

What Can Be Done?

1. Let the U.S. senate Majority Leader and Speaker of the House know how you feel ans share a story about how NPR and/or PBS have helped your family. Call your own senator in your state and then call:

Leader John Thune: 202-224-2321

Speaker Mike Johnson: 202-225-4000

2. Write An Opinion Editorial in your local paper

Have a great week folks and keep going my friends,

M

PS: Like or share if you are feeling good today!