In the coming weeks, Congress will take steps to finalize Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 federal funding for public media. The House FY 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill eliminates federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Interconnection, and Ready To Learn. The Senate version of the bill preserves these programs that are fundamental to ensuring public media stations can bring viewers and listeners high-quality noncommercial programming, local journalism, lifesaving emergency information, and support underserved early learners with effective educational content and outreach to nearly 99% of our country. As the debate over public media funding continues, encourage your Members of Congress to support the Senate’s proposals to safeguard federal funding. Enter your information and follow the prompts to send your message.

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The House bill remains a cause for concern because ultimately the Senate and House must negotiate final funding. Cuts to public media funding would impact your station’s ability to offer the programs and public services that you’ve come to expect and depend on. Stations serving rural, remote, and tribal communities would be the most affected because they do not have access to local resources to close federal funding gaps. Maintaining broadcast service to these communities is critical because public media is often the only local media source available.