Restore Federal Funding for PBS and NPR Now

I write to respectfully urge you to support the restoration of federal funding for NPR, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which was rescinded in July 2025. Public media provides an invaluable public service—one that transcends politics and strengthens informed democracy. Trust in Public Media is High—and Growing Recent surveys show that 53% of Americans now trust public media, compared to only 35% for the media generally. PBS in particular has consistently been ranked as the most trusted institution in the country for nearly two decades. This deep trust underpins civic discourse and shared understanding across our nation. Local and Rural Stations Will Suffer the Most The July 2025 Rescissions Act eliminated $1.1 billion in funding, prompting the announcement that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will shut down by early 2026. While large urban markets may absorb the impact, many rural and small local stations face devastation. These stations rely on federal support for up to 40–50% of their budgets and provide essential services like educational programming, local journalism, and emergency alerts. Loss of Civic and Educational Programming Public media uniquely delivers in-depth, non-commercial journalism, children’s educational content, and hyper-local reporting absent in most commercial outlets. Without renewed federal support, communities—especially in underserved areas—will lose trusted news, early childhood education, and alert systems vital during crises. Bipartisan Support Once Fueled Public Media—Let’s Renew It Public broadcasters have historically enjoyed bipartisan support, particularly in rural regions. Reviving that commitment now would reaffirm our shared belief in preserving independent, fact-based journalism as a public good. Restoration Is Modest, Yet Crucial The rescinded amount represents a minuscule fraction of the total federal budget, yet its absence jeopardizes the survival of hundreds of local stations. Restoring funds through the FY 2026 appropriations process would safeguard public media’s integrity and accessibility. Protecting Truth and Civic Education Americans value NPR and PBS—not for partisan reasons, but for their commitment to truth, local connection, and civic education. I urge you to support reinstating funding and ensure the resilience of public media. Your voice can protect independent journalism and preserve an institution that unites communities in understanding, empathy, and informed engagement.