Save Public Media

Defunding public broadcasting is a terrible mistake. Last week, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS-Education) Appropriations Subcommittees passed its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill that eliminates federal funding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The bill also entirely cuts funding for a program called Interconnection, public media’s distribution network that enables viewers and listeners to receive programs and emergency alerts. Today’s mainstream media is driven by advertising more than ever. As a result the news outlets steer clear of any reporting that might offend their viewers and advertisers. Public broadcasting is not similarly constrained and the reporting is more fair and balanced. Unfortunately too many people perceive fair and balanced reporting as being liberal or “far left” but it isn’t. The public broadcasting system was established by Congress more than 50 years ago to deepen local connections in civic life and provide a public forum for voices in the community that may not be heard. It is one of the most effective public-private partnerships in the country and has received broad, bipartisan support, which is why we find the elimination of federal funding in the House appropriations bill to be shocking.