SIGN NOW: Local PBS and NPR stations are shutting down after Trump’s cuts. Demand Congress restore funding for public media NOW >>

SIGN THE PETITION

John, NPR just secured $36 million in federal funding for public radio – a tangible step towards repairing the damage done by Trump's war on public media. [1]

But let’s be clear: that’s only a fraction of what’s been lost.

Trump slashed $1.1 billion from public media this year, and the damage is already hitting communities nationwide.

Local stations are closing. Parents are losing trusted educational resources. Rural communities are losing their only source of news and safety alerts. And if we don’t act now to restore funding, Trump’s allies will fill the void with far-right propaganda.

Trump is gutting public media and forcing his own narrative. Sign the petition to push back – and demand Congress restore funding for PBS and NPR now >>

SIGN THE PETITION

Here’s what’s at stake when public broadcasting comes under attack:

• PBS Kids had to cut 25% of its staff while local stations are being forced to cancel community programs. [2] Now, far-right outlets like PragerU are rushing in – replacing beloved shows like Sesame Street with political propaganda targeted at children. [3]

• It’s not just kids shows either… PBS [4] and NPR [5] remain the most trusted news sources in America. But local affiliates are cutting staff or even shutting down entirely – forcing us to rely on corporate networks that are increasingly bowing to Trump. [6]

• Rural Americans are getting hit the hardest. Right now, nearly 250 rural stations are on the brink of shutting down – threatening to cut off millions of Americans, including many of Trump’s own voters, from their only source of local news and emergency alerts. [7]

For decades, PBS and NPR have played a crucial role in keeping Americans informed and connected. And they’ve done it with much less public funding relative to other democracies around the world. [8]

That’s exactly why Trump wants them gone. An informed public threatens his propaganda machine.

Defunding PBS and NPR was never about saving money. It’s about silencing truth, weakening democracy, and emboldening Trump’s far-right agenda.

Add your name: Tell Congress to restore funding now. We must save PBS and NPR before it’s too late.

Public media belongs to the people – not politicians or billionaires. And together, we can protect it.

Thanks for all you do,

The team at Common Cause

[1] https://apnews.com/article/trump-npr-lawsuit-2cc4abfa8cf00fe6f89e387e63eb4a2a

[2] https://www.parents.com/pbs-defunding-what-parents-need-to-know-11734532

[3] https://prospect.org/education/2025-08-15-prageru-wants-to-capitalize-on-pbs-defunding/

[4] https://foundation.pbs.org/pbs-fast-facts/

[5] https://www.nationalpublicmedia.com/audience/

[6] https://www.freepress.net/blog/defunding-public-media-hitting-local-stations-hardest

[7] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/us/politics/public-broadcast-cuts.html

[8] https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/01/do-countries-with-better-funded-public-media-also-have-healthier-democracies-of-course-they-do/