Standing behind PBS

I do not find David Shaw’s “nuclear option” for PBS’ woes -- getting rid of the tent (PBS) and the camel (government funding) -- to be in the best interest of our national media coverage [“There’s a ‘Nuclear Option’ for PBS’ Woes as Well,” May 29].

PBS plays a vital role in “serving the public trust.” The primary reason our conservative-dominated government does not like some of the stories PBS has had the freedom to cover is because they may reflect adversely on their policy decisions and their service of the “public trust.” For the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as fueled by a conservative agenda, to be able to assail public broadcasting’s programming independence sets a dangerous precedent that will further erode our nation’s already weakened journalistic integrity.

PBS is the last bastion of truly local content that people can identify with because it deals with people, places and issues happening in their neighborhood, not in some far-off place. But PBS gives you the world perspective too, with “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” as Mr. Shaw himself rates it, “the best nightly news show on television.” With this in mind it is beyond belief that he would even suggest that a dialogue to do away with PBS should take place.

Jane G. Hansen

Huntington Beach

Hansen is the certified fundraising executive director of corporate gifts and grants at KOCE-TV & DT Digital.