It’s time to take a stand for this trusted public service you rely on.
Public media is facing funding cuts at the federal level that would significantly impact our programming, including news, music and culture, educational programs and the emergency alert system.
The White House is seeking the elimination of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation that supports 1,300 local public media stations across the country as well as NPR and PBS.
This would effectively dismantle the public media ecosystem. Take a stand for this trusted public service you rely on today.
-
The White House sent a proposed rescission package to Congress on June 3. This $9.4 billion package includes a $1.1 billion cut in funding for the CPB, taking back money previously appropriated by Congress. Congress has 45 days to consider the proposal, and it only requires a majority vote to pass. If it is not passed in that timeframe, by July 18, the proposal dies.
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Rescission Act of 2025, on June 12, and now the bill is with the Senate for consideration. The Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing on the bill on Wednesday, June 25 with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget testifying The Senate may vote on the package in the coming weeks.
President Trump issued an Executive Order called “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media” on May 1, which prohibits any public media station that receives CPB or other federal funds from using those dollars for NPR and PBS. The CPB has issued a statement asserting it is not a federal government agency subject to the President's authority. NPR and three public media stations in Colorado have filed a lawsuit against the Administration claiming this order violates the Constitution and First Amendment rights. PBS also filed a lawsuit.
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed an amicus brief in support of NPR’s lawsuit against the Administration, with MPR signing on along with 28 other stations. Attorneys General from 23 states filed an amicus brief in support of NPR and their member stations, as did the ACLU.
In April, President Trump attempted to fire three members of the CPB Board. The CPB immediately filed a lawsuit against the Administration noting that CPB is an independent organization, not a government entity, and its board members are not government officers. Although the judge in this case did not grant an emergency injunction, the court recognized the independence of the CPB as it was established to be a private non-profit corporation independent from governmental control or influence. The three Board members were retained.
President Trump released his FY26 Budget Proposal on May 2, which proposed the elimination of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It is important to note that while this budget proposal provides a guide to Congress regarding the President's priorities, it is not binding. It is up to Congress to determine funding levels for the CPB.
How to Help
There are many ways to show your support for APM.
1. Contact your representatives
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Rescissions Bill of 2025, to eliminate $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and now it goes to the Senate for consideration. This bill would effectively dismantle the public media system. Please reach out to Congress and urge them to vote against these cuts.
2. Take action: Sign our petition to let Congress know you oppose efforts to defund the CPB and demonstrate your unwavering support for these valuable public media services.
We will deliver the petition to the White House and Congress.
3. Tune in, log on and engage with your favorite APM content
Show your support for public media by tuning in to Marketplace, The Splendid Table, and other APM shows on the radio, podcast, web, apps, and social media.
4. Make a Donation
Donations to APM support trusted journalism, music discovery, and community conversation for all – no matter where you live or how you listen. From the broadcast to the podcast, on-air and online, gifts from individuals power everything you find at APM. Make a donation today.
5. Share your support on social media!
Post a message about what you love about public media. Feel free to include one of our shareable graphics.
Social Media Toolkit: Share Your Support
You can make a difference just by sharing your support on social media. Post a message about what you love about public media. Feel free to include the graphics below and the hashtag #ProtectMyPublicMedia.
Sample post:
I value the news, music and culture, and educational programs which are offered for free by public media. Cuts to federal funding would have a devastating impact on public media stations nationwide. Join me and take action at americanpublicmedia.org/action #ProtectMyPublicMedia
Graphics:
Videos
Why is American Public Media and the public media ecosystem important?
As the second largest public media content distributor in the nation, APM delivers programming and services of unparalleled value across the country.
Public media is the country’s only no-cost, commercial-free, nonprofit news and information service, resulting from a highly efficient public-private partnership.
Public media strengthens our society by delivering balanced, fact-based insights and diverse perspectives that foster meaningful dialogue and build community connections while serving as the backbone of emergency alert systems that keep Americans informed and safe during emergencies.
Contact Us
Inquiries for American Public Media should be directed to our Member & Audience Services department by using our our contact form or by phone at 651-290-1212 | 1-800-228-7123. (Phones open 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday, open 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT Fridays).