Oppose H.R. 2443 to Eliminate Funding for Public Media

Today I’m writing to strongly urge you to oppose and Vote NO on H.R. 2443 that would eliminate funding for Public Media (NPR and PBS). Continuing to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and its ancillary programming bodies is essential for public service, especially in areas of the country that have few enough stations already. This valuable public service has always been a gold standard when it comes to providing free and fair non-commercial access to high quality programming. As an arts supporter, I strongly believe it’s an important window into the arts world, as well as education for all ages.   Since its inception, the CPB’s objectives have remained clear and focused:   1.    Provide access to inform, educate, enlighten and enrich all communities, including those that might be otherwise underserved by corporate TV and radio stations. 2.    Support high quality, family friendly educational programs for teachers, parents and kids 3.    Provide programming of a type that might not be commercially viable as part of that enrichment of the community it serves, and provide cultural insight. 4.    Enhance local stations role to reflect their community and its diversity 5.    Foster a public media workforce that is diverse and has a wide variety of backgrounds and talents. (Jobs!) 6.    Support innovation in public media and embrace new ways that public broadcasting can reach more people.   The TV and radio network of stations also provides news and information and is a part of the emergency broadcast network in some communities.   Supported heavily by subscription, the support it receives from the government is small compared to the impact it makes on people’s lives. Please vote NO on H.R. 2443, and instead increase funding for public media. Surely the richest nation in the world can afford to be culturally rich.