In the first of a multi-part series on protecting free speech in media, public television writers Rupeshi Shah Bhat, June Thiele, Peter Miller and Jill Cozza-Turner discuss the state of public broadcasting in the face of ongoing threats like the loss of federal funding, and why it's so critical to fight back to protect both public broadcasting specifically and free speech overall.

Rupeshi Shah Bhat is a preschool TV writer who has written for PBS KIDS programs like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and is a member of the WGAE Animation Caucus.

Peter Miller is a Emmy and Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmaker who has been working in the public television documentary industry for over 30 years, including for programs like American Experience.

June Thiele is a writer and actor known for their Emmy-nominated writing on the PBS KIDS program Molly of Denali.

Jill Cozza-Turner is a children's television writer who has spent over 20 years working in children's media. She is currently the head writer of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and has also written for Donkey Hodie.

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OnWriting is a production of the Writers Guild of America East. The show is produced by WGA East staff members Jason Gordon, Tiana Timmerberg, and Molly Beer. Production, editing, and mix by Giulia Hjort. Original music is by Taylor Bradshaw. Artwork is designed by Molly Beer.