PBS dismantles its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department in response to a Trump executive order, raising questions about the future of diversity initiatives in public broadcasting.
Quick Takes
- PBS eliminates DEI department and fires two executives following Trump’s executive order
- The order mandates removal of DEI positions in federally supported organizations
- PBS CEO Paula Kerger cites compliance with the order as reason for the decision
- The network faces potential scrutiny over its hiring practices and programming content
- PBS emphasizes ongoing commitment to diversity despite DEI office closure
PBS Closes DEI Office in Response to Executive Order
In a move that has sparked discussions across the media landscape, PBS, the nonprofit broadcaster serving over 330 member stations, has disbanded its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) department. This decision comes as a direct result of an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on his inauguration day, which mandates the removal of DEI-focused positions and funding in federally supported organizations.
The closure of the DEI office has led to the departure of two senior executives, Cecilia Loving and Gina Leow, who were at the helm of PBS’s diversity initiatives since the department’s establishment in 2021. PBS CEO Paula Kerger informed staff of the decision, emphasizing compliance with the executive order as the primary reason for this organizational change.
“In order to best ensure we are in compliance with the President’s executive order around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion we have closed our DEI office. The staff members who served in that office are leaving PBS. We will continue to adhere to our mission and values. PBS will continue to reflect all of America and remain a welcoming place for everyone,” PBS said in a statement.
Impact on PBS Operations and Programming
The dismantling of the DEI department raises questions about the future of diversity-focused programming and hiring practices at PBS. The DEI department, under Loving’s leadership, had introduced programs such as “Meditation Mondays” and “Indigenous Healing Circles” to promote employee well-being and teamwork according to the broadcasting network. Despite the closure of the DEI office, PBS has emphasized its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Financial and Legal Implications
The decision to disband the DEI department has brought financial and legal considerations to the forefront. The decision to dismantle the DEI department followed an investigative piece by Bari Weiss’ Free Press, which questioned PBS’s compliance with the executive order. The network now faces scrutiny from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and potential legal inquiries.
PBS CEO Paula Kerger is scheduled to appear before the House DOGE committee to discuss the network’s allocation of federal funding. This upcoming testimony underscores the heightened attention on PBS’s organizational decisions and their alignment with federal mandates. PBS’s perceived resistance to the elimination of its DEI office and some of its DEI programming has raised questions about its use of taxpayer dollars. The broadcast’s annual budget is subsidized by federal funds at around 15%, translating to $215 million.
SCOOP: @TheFP asked @PBS about its alleged plans to hide its DEI department. Hours later, it was gone.
Josh Code (@writes__code) investigates: https://t.co/Arb98f15su
— The Free Press (@TheFP) February 11, 2025
Broader Implications for Federally Supported Organizations
The situation at PBS highlights the far-reaching effects of the executive order on federally supported organizations. As a nonprofit broadcaster reaching over 100 million viewers weekly, PBS’s decision to eliminate its DEI department may set a precedent for other public institutions grappling with similar compliance issues.
The White House has reinforced the executive order’s intent to end DEI discrimination in federal agencies and related entities. As PBS navigates this transition, the broader implications for public broadcasting and federally supported organizations remain to be seen.
