SB184 would transfer the powers and duties of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission and the State Library Board to the Department of Education, consolidating control over public broadcasting and state libraries under a single state agency.
The ACLU of Arkansas opposes SB184 because:
- It raises concerns about potential government overreach. Centralizing control of public media and library oversight within the Department of Education could open the door to censorship and political influence over educational content and public resources.
- It threatens intellectual freedom. Public broadcasting and libraries should operate independently to ensure access to diverse viewpoints, free from political interference or ideological restrictions.
- It creates uncertainty about the future of these institutions. If SB184 passes, the ACLU of Arkansas will closely monitor how the Department of Education exercises this authority and be prepared to challenge any censorship or restrictions on access to information.
Public broadcasting and libraries play a crucial role in education, free speech, and democracy. The ACLU of Arkansas stands against SB184 and any attempt to undermine intellectual freedom or impose political control over public information resources.
