Hi,

There's no sugarcoating it: PBS and public radio are in serious danger.

Last week, Donald Trump issued an executive order to "cease Federal
funding for NPR and PBS," and Congress is about to vote on a measure that
would claw back $1.1 billion for public broadcasting appropriated during
the Biden administration.^1

These cuts would be absolutely devastating, especially for local stations
in rural areas that frequently have no other local source of news. That's
why Demand Progress is ramping up our efforts to mobilize grassroots
support and save public media.

[ [link removed] ]Will you make a donation to support our work, including our efforts to
save public broadcasting?



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[ [link removed] ]Donate $10

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Over 1,500 locally operated public radio and TV stations across the
country rely on federal funding. For many small town and rural stations,
these funds account for 40-50% of their budget.^2

These stations would simply cease to exist if Trump gets his way. "For
them, it's existential," PBS CEO Paula Kerger said.^3

That means millions of kids will no longer have access to PBS's
award-winning early educational programming. Many of these children lack
access to pre-K programs, and PBS plays a vital role in teaching literacy
skills and preparing them for kindergarten.

Small towns all over the country with no local newspaper would also lose
their last reliable source of news and information.

We've seen attacks on PBS and public radio before, but this time is
different. Trump is not only proposing to defund PBS and public radio. He
wants to take back $1.1 billion that was already appropriated and that
local stations are absolutely counting on.

Trump's goal is clear: Control or destroy any independent news outlet that
dares to challenge him. That's why this fight is about more than just
defending PBS and public radio. It's about halting Trump's authoritarian
assault on democracy.

Demand Progress is working to flood Capitol Hill with petition signatures
and phone calls to help stop these cuts. But with Congress back in session
this week, key votes could start happening at anytime, so we need to ramp
up our efforts.

[ [link removed] ]That's why we're asking you today: Will you donate $10 to
help stop the defunding of public broadcasting, and push for other key
reforms?

With gratitude,

The team at Demand Progress Action

[ [link removed] ]DONATE

Sources:
1. The New York Times, "Trump Signs Executive Order Seeking to End Federal
Funding for NPR and PBS," [ [link removed] ]May 2, 2025.
2. Protect My Public Media, "Urge Congress: Save Public Media,"
[ [link removed] ]accessed May 8, 2025.
3. Face the Nation, "Transcript: Katherine Maher and Paula Kerger on 'Face
the Nation with Margaret Brennan,' May 4, 2025," [ [link removed] ]May 4, 2025.


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