Today, the Co-Chairs of the Public Broadcasting Caucus, Congressman Mark Amodei and Congressman Dan Goldman, released a joint statement addressing concerns over potential funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by the Trump Administration. They highlighted the essential role public broadcasting plays in providing emergency alerts, trusted news, and coverage on key issues nationwide.
The congressmen emphasized that public media is particularly crucial in rural areas where it often serves as the sole reliable media service. Of 544 federally funded radio and television stations, 245 serve rural communities and support over 5,950 local jobs. The statement noted that rural broadcasters face difficulties in raising private funds, making them vulnerable to government funding cuts.
Amodei and Goldman expressed concern that rescinding federal funding would eliminate free access to high-quality programming for local stations and isolate rural communities from vital resources. They argued that while public broadcasting accounts for less than 0.01% of the federal budget, its impact is significant across all congressional districts. The proposed cuts would not substantially reduce the deficit but would dismantle a trusted information source for millions.
The statement also addressed public media’s responsiveness to audience needs while stressing that funding decisions should remain objective. As leaders of the Public Broadcasting Caucus, Amodei and Goldman reaffirmed their commitment to preserving non-commercial content that informs and connects Americans regardless of location or political affiliation.
