After public broadcasting subsidies — and Big Bird — became a topic in last night's presidential debate, PBS responded by purchasing ad space on Twitter to defend its right to federal funding. A PBS promoted tweet reads, "PBS is trusted, valued and essential," and then asks readers to "please retweet!"
The Twitter buy follows a statement released this morning. "We are very disappointed that PBS became a political target in the Presidential debate last night," the statement reads. "Governor Romney does not understand the value the American people place on public broadcasting."
PBS's promoted tweet appears in a basic search for "big bird," the famous Sesame Street character at the center of Governor Romney's remarks last night. "I like PBS, I love Big Bird," he said when reiterating his plans to cut PBS funding.
In their statement, PBS calls Big Bird an "embodiment [of] the public broadcastings mission — harnessing the power of media for the good of every citizen, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay."