1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

The proposed cuts to NPR (National Public Radio) and PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) funding are concerning. These public broadcasting organizations play a vital role in providing educational, unbiased, and informative programming accessible to all Americans, especially in rural and underserved communities. Slashing their funding would deprive millions of access to quality journalism, educational content for children, and cultural programming that enriches our society. Moreover, the federal funding comprises only a small portion of their overall budgets, with the majority coming from private donors, grants, and viewer contributions. This modest investment yields immense benefits by ensuring universal access to public broadcasting's valuable services, fostering an informed citizenry essential for a thriving democracy. Instead of undermining these crucial institutions, we should be increasing support to expand their reach and impact. Public broadcasting represents the best of American values – free speech, diversity of thought, and access to knowledge. Preserving its funding is paramount to upholding these principles and maintaining a well-informed, culturally enriched nation. I urge you to reject these proposed cuts and continue investing in the vital public service NPR and PBS provide.