Steves: Trump’s cuts to public broadcasting will weaken U.S. democracy

If a society wants to toughen the fabric of its democracy, it’s essential that it nurture a citizenry that can think critically and consume information with a sustained attention span. Conversely, the last thing someone intent on derailing a democracy wants is a thoughtful electorate.

Our Founding Fathers saw the free press as key to the strength and stability of our democracy. That’s why it’s considered the “Fourth Estate” of our government.

And as our president sets his sights on defunding PBS and NPR...