John,
The attack on fact-based journalism reached a new level last week when Republicans voted to cancel more than $1 billion in previously allocated funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—impacting every local NPR and PBS station across the country.
In my hometown of Detroit, our local NPR affiliate—WDET - FM 101.9—will lose roughly $500,000 in combined cash and in-kind support. Unless they grow their membership quickly, this will result in cuts to news programming, public affairs, music, and more.
WDET is housed at my alma mater, Wayne State University. Today is my birthday and the city of Detroit’s birthday, and I want to celebrate by supporting Detroit Public Radio.
If you believe in journalism that is independent from corporate interests and the fascist politics of this administration, please join me in making a birthday donation to Detroit Public Radio today.
Please note that you will be prompted to select either “monthly sustainer” or “one-time gift” under Payment Method on the donation page.
In order to make up for the loss of $500,000 in federal funding, WDET has a goal of adding 1,000 more members before the start of their fiscal year, which begins October 1st. WDET was named Public Radio Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters three of the past four years, but this cut puts their programming in jeopardy. Whether it’s a one-time or recurring donation, every dollar donated is incredibly meaningful in sustaining this critical institution of independent journalism.
The presidential administration’s relentless attack on independent journalism is part of a broader attack on our democracy, our communities, and our rights.
Earlier this year, the Associated Press was barred from participating in the White House press pool for refusing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Recently, CBS’s parent company Paramount paid $16 million to Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit that Trump brought against “60 Minutes.” Then Paramount and CBS announced the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a frequent critic of Trump. This exemplifies how media corporations have come under increasing pressure to promote the administration’s positions or pay the price.
The rescinding of more than $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is the latest attack on independent public media—and it must not go unanswered.
Please join me today—on my and the city of Detroit’s birthday—in supporting Detroit Public Radio with a one-time or sustaining donation.
Every person who donates today helps build toward WDET’s goal of 1,000 more members and $500,000 raised by the start of their new fiscal year on October 1st.
Thank you for never giving up on the promise of our multi-racial, multi-cultural democracy. We’ll keep fighting against fascism, which involves supporting fact-based independent journalism.
In love and solidarity,
Rashida
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