To PBS-Affiliated Directors Ken Burns, Peter Coyote, Sarah Botstein, Stanley Nelson, Marina Zenovich, & Eugene Jarecki,
We write to you in appreciation for your work and the powerful contributions you have each made to documentary filmmaking and public understanding of important topics like war, conflict, and human struggle. Through your storytelling, audiences have been encouraged to think critically, question dominant narratives, and see the humanity behind political systems and historical events. For this, we are deeply grateful.
It is in this spirit that we respectfully ask you to use your voices and influence to advocate for the de-censorship of the PBS-produced documentary Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty. This film was shown only once before U.S. politicians forced it's censorship because it "made China look too good."
At a time when much of the world is facing deepening inequality, housing crises, medical insecurity, and economic instability, this film offers a rare and important look at how one country addressed extreme poverty on a massive scale. China’s lifting of more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty is widely recognized as one of the most significant social achievements in modern history. Yet, the U.S. government continues to censor this achievement because it runs counter to the narrative they use to justify funneling billions of dollars into the military to prepare for a war against China.
Meanwhile, many people in the United States now live what has been described as the “kill line”—one medical emergency, job loss, or unexpected expense away from financial collapse. Stories of people selling plasma, working multiple jobs, or living in tents have become increasingly common. These realities deserve honest discussion, alongside examples of systems that have succeeded in reducing such suffering.
Suppressing this documentary undermines the principles of open inquiry and intellectual honesty that your work has consistently embodied. The public deserves the opportunity to view, analyze, and debate this film for themselves. Shielding audiences from complex realities only deepens division and ignorance.
Your careers have demonstrated a commitment to truth. We believe that advocating for the release of this film would be fully in line with that legacy. It would encourage meaningful dialogue about poverty, governance, and social responsibility at a moment when such conversations are urgently needed.
In an era of rising international tensions and deepening inequality, we need more understanding, not less. We need cooperation, not censorship. And we need respected filmmakers willing to defend the public’s right to see important work, even when it challenges prevailing narratives.
We respectfully ask that you consider using your influence to support the liberation of Voices from the Frontline: China’s War on Poverty and help ensure that this important story reaches the public.
Thank you for your time, your work, and your continued commitment to thoughtful and courageous storytelling.
Respectfully,