Washington, D.C.
Kenneth Tomlinson, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting board leader who vowed to rid PBS of liberal bias, abruptly resigned last week amid allegations he was improperly spending public money. The New York Times reported that a federal inspector general will soon charge Tomlinson with using board money to hire people to do personal work and to exert political influence over public television and radio. Tomlinson, a Bush administration appointee, last year commissioned a study to monitor NOW With Bill Moyers for “anti-Bush” and “anti-business” content. He also helped line up $5 million to underwrite a conservative show, The Journal Editorial Report, and allegedly pressured PBS stations to run it. By law, the CPB is prohibited from exerting political influence over public radio and TV.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black KeysFeature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
