Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma is on a mission to dismantle the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), the state’s only Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate. The governor has accused OETA of airing content aimed at indoctrinating children.
In his latest move, Stitt has vetoed a bill that would have allowed OETA to continue its operations through 2026. If two-thirds of the House and Senate do not override the governor’s veto, the PBS affiliate will cease operating this year.
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoes OETA renewal, questioning public broadcaster's long-term value https://t.co/JlqwbT1djE
— The Oklahoman (@TheOklahoman_) April 27, 2023
OETA offers a wide range of programming, including children’s shows such as “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” as well as “Antiques Roadshow” and news programs like “Washington Week” and “PBS Newshour.”
Governor Stitt has taken issue with some of the programming offered by OETA, claiming that it promotes a left-leaning agenda and seeks to indoctrinate children. In a statement, Stitt said, “OETA has moved away from its core mission of providing educational programming and instead has become a vehicle for pushing a political agenda.”
The governor’s decision to eliminate OETA has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from those who argue that the network plays a vital role in providing educational content to Oklahomans. Supporters of OETA have pointed out that the network offers programming that is not available on commercial networks and serves as an important resource for rural communities.
Critics of Stitt’s decision have accused the governor of playing politics and seeking to silence dissenting voices. Some have pointed out that OETA has a long history of providing educational content to children and adults alike and that eliminating the network would be a blow to the state’s educational infrastructure.
As the debate over OETA’s future continues, many Oklahomans are watching closely to see how the situation will unfold. Whether the network will continue to operate or cease operations this year remains to be seen.