I am writing to urge you to support the restoration of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The passage of H.R. 4, which cut $1.1 billion in previously allocated funds, has created a crisis for local public radio and television stations across the country. Federal funding ran out on September 30th, and the consequences are already being felt in communities like ours.
These cuts primarily impact local member stations rather than national networks. Stations are facing layoffs, programming reductions, and potential closures. This matters because 98% of Americans live within range of public radio stations that depend on this funding. In rural areas with limited broadband access, public broadcasting is often the only reliable source of local news and emergency information.
Public broadcasting serves a unique role that commercial media cannot fill. Local stations provide in-depth news coverage, educational programming, and emergency bulletins that are essential to community safety and civic engagement. Without federal support, these stations must rely entirely on donations, which is unsustainable for many smaller markets that serve lower-income populations.
I understand that Democratic lawmakers have proposed legislation to reverse these budget cuts and include safeguards against future rescissions. I strongly support these efforts and ask that you cosponsor and vote for any measure that restores CPB funding to its previous levels.
The loss of public broadcasting would create news deserts in communities that can least afford to lose access to quality journalism. These stations are not luxuries but essential infrastructure for informed citizenship. I urge you to prioritize the restoration of this funding and ensure that all Americans retain access to the trusted, nonpartisan news and educational content that public broadcasting provides.
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