1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Subject: Oppose Proposed Cuts to Public Broadcasting Funding I’m writing to strongly urge you to reject the White House’s forthcoming proposal to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)—a move that would effectively eliminate nearly all federal support for NPR, PBS, and the local public media stations that serve communities across the country. This proposal is not just shortsighted—it’s dangerous. Public broadcasting plays a vital role in education, civic engagement, and equal access to reliable information, especially for children, rural residents, and underserved communities. The facts are clear: • Most federal funding goes to local stations, not national headquarters. These stations depend on CPB support to operate newsrooms, produce educational content, and provide emergency communication. • A 2011 internal report by NPR estimated that defunding public broadcasting could shut down up to 18% of public radio stations, particularly in the Midwest, South, and West. That would strip roughly 30% of listeners of access to NPR programming—a devastating loss for millions. • In rural areas, where broadband access is still inconsistent, public radio and television are often the only source of news, educational programming, and cultural content. Cutting this funding is not only a blow to information equity—it’s a disservice to rural Americans. Public broadcasting is one of the most trusted institutions in our country. At a time when misinformation and political polarization run rampant, we need more access to reliable, non-commercial information—not less. Public broadcasting also offers lifelong educational programming, from PBS Kids to in-depth historical and science documentaries. These are proven to support early childhood learning and lifelong engagement with the arts and sciences—resources no streaming service can adequately replace. This proposed cut is not a fiscal necessity—it’s a political maneuver. And it threatens the health of our media ecosystem, our education system, and our democracy. I am asking you, as my elected representative, to firmly and publicly oppose any efforts to rescind federal funding for the CPB. I—and many of your constituents—will be watching to see that you defend this cornerstone of American public life. Thank you for your attention and leadership.