Claims of ‘liberal bias’ in public media hurt Iowa

The Republican excuse to defund National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting System for “liberal bias” is indefensible. Iowa’s Reps. Miller Meeks and Hinson and Sen. Ernst all gleefully declare this to be true. In reality, it is dishonest, dirty politics.

Even worse, they use this excuse to defund the entire slate of programs. What is biased about children’s programming? Statewide sporting events? Is The Iowa State Fair a leftist event? Please explain where there is bias in music programming (all kinds ranging from country to classical).

Reps. Miller Meeks and Hinson, please show us “hard working Iowans” how BBC murder mysteries and Ken Burns’ award-winning documentaries show bias. Sen. Ernst, I’m waiting for you to explain why Iowans shouldn’t have the option to watch science-based programs like “Nature” and “Nova.”

Their argument is just plain dishonest. Even if they had some evidence, you don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Dentists don’t decapitate people to fix toothaches, nor should politicians kill an entire public system because someone sees or imagines “bias” somewhere.

I submit the real reason for defunding public radio and TV isn’t “leftist bias” at all. The real reason is that Miller Meeks, Hinson and Ernst now just blindly serve the whims of Donald Trump. They’re no longer serving Iowans. Such politicians should not be reelected.

James Conger

Iowa City