Public Media Matters

This legislation ensured public broadcasting remains a free, high-quality resource for education, culture, and civic engagement. However, after the 2024 election, new threats to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) have emerged, putting these essential services in jeopardy.

In 2025, funding cuts could come through multiple legislative avenues. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed on November 20, 2024, DOGE co-chairs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy identified CPB as a target for budget cuts. Draft legislation to reduce or eliminate funding is already in progress, with potential ripple effects on state-level support, particularly for stations like Detroit PBS.

Losing federal support would impact Detroit PBS and stations nationwide, with smaller and rural PBS stations being hit the hardest. These stations rely on CPB funding to provide trusted journalism, educational programming, and emergency broadcasting. While national programs receive corporate and philanthropic funding, many local stations depend on federal assistance to stay operational. Without it, station closures could deprive millions of essential content that informs and enriches communities.

Public media is not just a service—it’s a pillar of democracy, education, and civic engagement. Recognizing the urgency, Detroit PBS and others are mobilizing efforts to raise awareness and advocate for continued support. Without federal funding, millions risk losing access to the programming that unites and educates us all.