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Clarence Thomas--in His Own Words

Feedback:

I can't fathom the one-sided piece of blatant advertising for Clarence Thomas, that you decided to broadcast. What an awful joke.....especially in the time of Trump. The Koch brothers fund it, get a conservative ideologue to write, produce and direct it. Wow. Then YOU show it? It's shameful. You have sunk to a new low, PBS. One thing is for sure---it's in HIS WORDS, alright!! (And his wife's). Nobody else 'good' enough to interview ABOUT Thomas? No one on the side who had a few things to say about him? Ah, that would have introduced an element of TRUTH to it, that I'm sure the production just couldn't risk. What a piece of whitewashing mythology. How offensive that you allow the undermining marginalization of Anita Hill, through honoring this hack, in this kind of way.

Ridiculously sappy music underneath misty lakes and folksy RV crossing the countryside, and Thomas looking wistfully up at his grandfather's bust, for inspiration. Ugh. Ack. Oh dear, you've made me question you soooooo.....CPB. One of your low points for certain~~and it lowers us all.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB does not produce or broadcast any programming, and CPB is prohibited by law from interfering with editorial concerns related to programming. Please contact PBS with your concern.

Frontline

Colorado
Feedback:

I have never watched Frontline before but like with all of your programming you want me to pay to watch??? I always have to rail you before I ever get to watch any o fb your programs. Why is that? P.s. mI do pay to be a passport member because no one can watch your ‘free’ programming without paying so I do not understand why I cannot watch Frontline tonight???

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting us with your concern about funding public media and its content. Public media is a public-private partnership relying on multiple sources of funding in addition to the federal investment. PBS stations have always relied on donations from individuals to provide content to local communities and contributions from members to local stations are the largest single source of support for public television. In 2011, Congress asked CPB to produce a report on alternatives to federal funding for public media (PUBLIC LAW 112–74—DEC. 23, 2011). A link to that report can be found below. PBS Passport, which offers extended access to national and local content, is an added benefit of station membership. It cannot be purchased separately and is not a subscription service. This member benefit is a complement to the fundamental service PBS and PBS stations provide -- access to outstanding programming via over-the-air broadcast and through free streaming for a significant time. Every program available via Passport was previously available for streaming to non-Passport Members after the broadcast. Public media continues to offer the broadest access to freely available TV content – over-the-air on local member stations, through digital platforms and in communities across the U.S. Both local and national content is available without charge from stations around the country through a variety of platforms. https://www.cpb.org/files/aboutcpb/Alternative_Sources_of_Funding_for_Public_Broadcasting_Stations.pdf

Firing Line

California
Feedback:

What is Margaret Hoover doing hosting "Firing Line"? Yes, she's a good looking woman. PERIOD : She dishonors Bill Buckley's name and that of the intellectual right. Miss Hoover doesn't have a thing to say, does not asking penetrating questions, and adds nothing to the national discussion of the issue at hand. I guess she has her grandfather's name to go on. But didn't he lose a Presidential election by a rather W I D E margin?--this makes her worthy of her own show? How about the Hillary Clinton hour?--I could see her first guest now...William Jefferson Clinton! I've watched this new "Firing Line" three times...but no more.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

Financial news reporting

Feedback:

I’m a big fan. OK? But please stop saying “Today the market rose MORE THAN . . .” When you really mean the market rose ABOUT. . . . “. You are better than that. MORE THAN means any higher number. Please stop it.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB does not produce or broadcast any programming, and CPB is prohibited by law from interfering with editorial concerns related to programming. Please contact your local station with your concern.

PBS NewsHour

May 2020
Feedback:

Somebody of authority at PBS needs to review the program Newshour, I think with Judy Woodruff. Its a skit on liberalism. It's not news. They make comments about the President being exposed to the virus from the President of Brasil visiting and one of his aides standing next to him. It showed a picture. The host asked for a comment from the pundits, I guess you could call them, and they were giddy in saying the President had been exposed. They were basically laughing, smiling, and smirking. Yours is not a news program. It's ridiculous. It's a joke. It's a circus. If you don't want Trump as your President, at least give him some respect. Someone needs to do something about your out-of-control attitude of hatred towards a President. I didn't like Obama, but I respected him and I never talked bad about him, especially in public. Feel free to call me. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB and PBS are separate organizations and CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact your local station or PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

Your programs have overbearing LOUD music, and drowning out the voices.

California
Feedback:

ALL of your shows (Documentaries, Nature, Frontline and Create, etc) now have music so loud it DROWNS out the dialogue and conversations. It is often musical styles which do not even relate to the style or nature of the program. This seems like someone's bad idea or way to employ relatives and friends who are musicians.

Don't blame our TV sound system. We have had the same system since 2012 and only in recent years has this happened on more and more of your programs. By the way we HAVEN'T noticed it on the limited number of COMMERCIAL TV programs we watch. We have had to stop watching MOST CreateTV shows. As far as NOVA and Frontline programs, the music has become the lame method of telling us "how to feel" during the program.

You (CPB) need to get the word out to the production teams that it is seriously out of hand. Please, no more excuses.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB does not produce or broadcast any programming, and CPB is prohibited by law from interfering with editorial concerns related to programming. Please contact your local station with your concern.

PBS NewsHour

March 13, 2020
Feedback:

The person that was at the President's conference today from PBS was very rude to the President. She may have political views and all this, but if you're going to have a fair and balanced reporter there. I think she did disrespect to the President. Somebody should look into her employment because that's not what I think is good news broadcasting or good questions. Thank you. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS or your local station directly.

CARES Act Funding

March 26, 2020
Feedback:

Hi this is Steve calling from Northern Wisconsin. I just wanted to let you know that I believe you as public TV should refuse the money from Congress, the $75 million. That money should all go to hospitals, doctors, research, curing people who are physically sick and in harms way. You people have got more money than you know what to do with. You pay your executives outrageous salaries. There is no reason that public dollars should be going your way during this hardship time. I believe you as honest, patriotic Americans should refuse that money and make sure that money goes to the right place. Thank you and good day.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting us with your concern about funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the public media organizations it supports. Public media is a public-private partnership relying on federal funding from Congress through CPB and on private funding from donors and corporate underwriting. Due to the unprecedented financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, public media stations across the country are facing a severe decrease in funding from individuals, charitable foundations, corporate underwriting, states and universities. We are thankful for Congress’ bipartisan action to support public media stations' financial needs with funding in the CARES Act. The CARES Act provides financial support to local stations that are delivering vital health and safety information, while at the same time working to deliver curriculum-based educational programming to homebound students, despite the challenge of declining non-federal revenue. CPB dispersed the entirety of the CARES Act funding to local public media stations. No funding from the CARES Act remains with CPB. A list of grantees and their grant amounts can be found on the CPB website.

PBS NewsHour

March 14, 2020
Feedback:

I'm definitely probably wasting my time making this comment to a left-leaning program like any of the programs basically on PBS, but I'm going to be doing it anyway. Shields and Brooks is supposed to be one side and the other side, a conservative versus a liberal. I think the liberal speaks more conservative or has more decent comments as conservative than the conservative. If you're trying to be fair and balanced like Fox News, at least put a true conservative in, not two liberals and say one is a conservative and one is a liberal. It's totally false. It's a charade. Everybody knows it. I talked to my accountant and I mentioned about watching your program and he says, "Are you kidding me? I haven't that for ten years. Anybody in their right mind doesn't watch network TV, especially PBS. I talked to my workers and they said the same thing. I feel like I'm the only crazy one that watches PBS every once in a while. At least 51 percent of America or 50 percent of  America doesn't even acknowledge your programming. The only decent show you have is Antiques Roadshow. You should probably sell it and make some money instead of begging for money all the time. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS or your local station directly.

audio quality

Pennsylvania
Feedback:

I am hearing impaired and wear hearing aids which normally work very well, except when I am watching PBS Nightly News on WHYY in Philadelphia. Judy Woodruff always seems loud enough but when there is a shift to a remote camera, the sound is hardly loud and clear enough. When the shift goes back to Judy Woodruff, sound becomes louder and clearer again. I've been a listener and watcher for over 50 years and do not enjoy watching PBS like I used to. I do NOT have the same problem with other networks, just PBS. I wonder why.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB does not produce or broadcast any programming. Please contact your local station with your concern.

Reporting Suggestion

March 20, 2020
Feedback:

I'm just wondering if you could ask the CDC or the government. Why have they not approached Seegene of South Korea to get a license to produce and manufacture test kits for the virus? It seems to me that would be a faster way to go. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your suggestion will have more weight if you contact your local station directly.

Viral:Antisemitism in four mutations

North Carolina
Feedback:

Why would You present shows like this that propagate hate and more racism,against Jews or any race.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB does not produce or broadcast any programming, and CPB is prohibited by law from interfering with editorial concerns related to programming. Please contact your local station with your concern.

sit and be fit

Washington
Feedback:

This is an amazing program for excercise for seniors. Since the progreams supports balance and flexibility, it is a great fall prevention program. Thank you for continuing to offer this program, especially during these challening COVID times. Many of my friends locally are participating with Mary Ann Wilson, Sit and Be Fit.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Although CPB does not produce or distribute programming, we welcome all comments about public media’s content and services.

NewsHour

May 22, 2020
Feedback:

Neither Shields, nor Brooks could opine on Trumps comments about Henry Ford made in Michigan on thursday. They gave him the benefit of the doubt for being ignorant of Ford's racism and xenaphobia.

 

Trump grew up in a household headed by a member of the KKK. Fred Trump was active in that organization in the 1920's, into the '30's. Did not like Africans, Asians, Latinos; eastern, southern, and south eastern Europeans as well. Had it been up to Fred Trump, neither Ivana Trump; nor the current First Lady and her family would have been allowed to immigrate to this country. And of course African Americans, and Jews are included on that list.

 

Ford was a bigot extraordinaire. Loved Hitler, hated Jews; in the grand tradition of many white businessmen had no problem regularly consulting with George Washington Carver on manufacturing process and operations research to make Ford Motor Company what it became. You would think that Carver would have been a Ford Executive and Board Member, but that genius was taken without proper compensation or acknowledgement. Not even a consideration.

 

Donald Trump knows the meaning of everything that he says, and means it. He is equally the racist and bigot that both his father and Henry Ford were, and is quite proud of it. Uses these tools as they have always been used to manage American social and economic  structure throughout the pre-history and history of this nation. He is nothing new; he is just " out there " with it. Counts on everything that he does as being seen as benign and mitigable because he is a white, wealthy male. At worst, maybe having a bad day; but not really evil. Many of our children are learning from this man. Many an adult who have always wanted to show their overt racist behavior toward other americans now do it because they feel that Trump has given them permission to do so. 

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There is nothing benign about him. If there is any good to be derived from his presence in the White House, it has yet to manifest itself. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB and PBS are separate organizations and CPB is prohibited by law from producing, broadcasting, or interfering with editorial concerns related to programming. Please contact PBS or your local station with your concern.

PBS news hour 5/4/2020

Wisconsin
Feedback:

I am disappointed and dismayed that the news hour failed to acknowledge or honor the 50th anniversary of the Kent State massacre. History still matters, especially for we who lived through that time.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB and PBS are separate organizations and CPB is prohibited by law from producing, broadcasting, or interfering with editorial concerns related to programming. Please contact PBS or your local station with your concern.

judy Woodruff

Virginia
Feedback:

When Judy Woodruff talks about Trump someone should give her a clothespin to hold her nose. It's all about her dislike for him. David Brooks ducks his head apologetically to Mark shields when he says something positive about Trump. Then Mark Shield shakes his head and and tries to mimimize what David said. I have stopped watching. She should be replaced

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly.

Books on Background

Arizona
Feedback:

I have a great deal of respect for Ms Judy Woodruff and noticed many books on shelves behind her during the PBS NewsHour. Could she point out, on the air, the book she liked the best and also the one that would be good to read in the time of the pandemic and other areas of concern to US citizens. Thank you, Stephen R Hempelman, MD, MBA

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB and PBS are separate organizations and CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact your local station or PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

Your hand washing video

Florida
Feedback:
A week ago you had one of your teen "Helpers" (A redhead with braces) show the helpers how to wash your hands. She was very thorough and the video was informative however there was one issue that as a former ER nurse that I noticed: One one of her wrists your Helper worse several "friendship" style bracelets made out of string or cord. These look to be cotton and that's not good - if these get wet they can harbor mold, and if they come into contact with the current virus, she can't wash them like she washes her hands. These bracelets are actually a danger as they could be infected and re-infect the poor person after she washed her hands, not to mention of they get wet it's just not good for things like mold or just offering a damp environment for bacteria to grow in. She may want to consider ditching these bracelets.

jUDY wOODRUFF

Massachusetts
Feedback:

i admire & respect Judy Woodruff for a job well done. Her demeanor is constant and usually intelligent. I've noticed since the C19 Quarantine she asks questions that some of us obviously already know the answer. She appears to attack in her tone. Perception is that there is puzzlement on questions that are popular and widely broadcast. ?? What's going on? Brooks & Shields is more like a volleyball in her format and seems redundant. May be it's me....too long in the house :-) Thanks for all you do.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS or your local station directly.

News Hour with Judy Woodruff

Pennsylvania
Feedback:

What a negative, ungrateful, liberal, democrat. She continually attempted to downplay and attack everything President Trump has done during an interview with VP Mike Pence. As he was stating our progress during this pandemic, she inserted a story about one nurse requesting gowns in NYC...One nurse? She continued to state that the President hasn't done this or that. Wow, you and the rest of the liberal media, I.e. "Morning Shmoe on MSNBC) make America and myself sick. What would Obama do? Sit on his hands as he did for Eight years. Biden would have had a mental breakdown by now. Knock off the criticism and try to be optimistic!

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS or your local station directly.