In spite of the "rattling of sabres" to discontinue funds - The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is expressing appreciation in wake of Congress’ decision to extend funding for public media.
The continuing resolution, a stopgap spending measure that funds the federal government for the next seven months, was passed by the Senate on Friday. The legislation will provide $535 million for CPB in Fiscal Year 2027 — upholding a two-year advance appropriation for public media.
“We appreciate the bipartisan support from Congress on behalf of the more than 1,500 local public media stations across the nation,” Patricia Harrison said in a news release. “Public media in the United States is a highly efficient public-private partnership that delivers a strong return on the taxpayers’ investment. For every public dollar provided, stations raise nearly seven dollars from donors, underscoring their value to the communities they serve.
“With the support of Congress and the American people, CPB will continue to prioritize educational content and resources for families, provide essential local reporting and public safety information, and pursue technology advancements that enhance public media’s connection with audiences across multiple platforms.”
The news comes against the backdrop of Republican political saber-rattling, with the introduction of several bills that would eliminate funding for public media groups and networks, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio (NPR), and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) — with stations in local markets concerned about their futures.
