Implications of Trump's Funding Reductions to NPR and PBS for an Individual Bred in Rural North Carolina
In a controversial move that's stirring up the nation, President Donald Trump opted to slash federal funding for public broadcasting giants NPR and PBS. The controversial executive order, signed on May 1, directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to halt funding for these platforms, claiming it's in line with his administration's policy targeting partisan and biased news coverage. On a more pressing note, the ruling could have far-reaching implications for rural and remote communities, many of which rely heavily on these services.
While this decision might not come as a shock, given the President's March demand to halt funding for public broadcasting on Truth Social, it's garnered controversy due to its potential consequences. It's worth noting that this request was framed with aggressive rhetoric, emphasizing the need to "rid our Country of this giant SCAM" and "make America great again."
As someone who grew up as a PBS kid in rural North Carolina and later became a tax lawyer, I can't help but express my personal feelings about this issue. To be clear, I have a soft spot for PBS and NPR, with memories of sneaking off my nap mat to watch "Sesame Street" in kindergarten and the joy of discovering artists on "The Joy of Painting." Radio became my companion too, listening to "All Things Considered," "Car Talk" and zombie-inducing lullabies from "A Prairie Home Companion."
So, let's take a closer look at what PBS and NPR bring to the table and at the underlying implications of Trump's executive order.
PBS: A Lifeline for Rural America
Created in 1969, PBS is a non-profit public broadcasting television network made up of member stations. Over 330 of these member stations can be found across the US, with each producing their own content or airing programs from others. Common shows include "NewsHour," "Masterpiece" (where we first stumbled upon "Downton Abbey"), and "Anne of Green Gables." The network's early mission was to provide access to programming, especially in rural areas and for those who couldn't afford private television channels.
In today's world, PBS reaches over 130 million people — 58% of all U.S. television households. A whopping 60% of that audience resides in rural communities. In remote, Native American, and island communities, public broadcasting stations might even be the sole locally owned media outlet, playing a vital role in disseminating news to these areas.
NPR: A Beacon for Education
NPR, incorporated a year later in 1970, operates on a similar principle, with 99% of the U.S. population encompassed by the broadcast listening area of one or more public radio stations.
ESPN might have dominated my household growing up, but my parents grew to appreciate NPR's family-friendly programming over time, favoring it to network and radio shows. This perception has continued: Today, PBS reports that nearly two-thirds of its audience self-identifies as Republican or Independent (63%).
A History of Controversy and Funding
Challenges to funding for PBS and NPR aren't unheard of. opposition first emerged in Congress shortly after PBS's inception. During a 1969 Senate Committee on Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Fred Rogers - the former host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" - testified passionately in support of federal funding for the then newly formed CPB, eventually winning over skeptical senators.
Years later, the 2012 Republican presidential debate saw Mitt Romney advocating for cutting funding for PBS, arguing that it was an unnecessary expense. But here's the twist: Despite Romney's argument that taxpayers largely funded Big Bird and the gang at Sesame Street, federal funds account for just a small fraction (about 15% for PBS and 1 % for NPR) of their overall budgets.
Ensuring a Future for Public Broadcasting
PBS and NPR are now evaluating their options, potential lawsuits included, to counter this defunding effort. If cuts occur, public television and radio stations will need to find alternative sources of funding. Larger markets would likely weather the storm, relying on donors and sponsorships, while smaller markets, particularly those serving rural and remote communities, could face a bleak future, perhaps even going dark.
In other words, the irony of Trump's executive order is painfully clear: As Education Week put it, "rural communities would be among the hardest hit by the president's proposal because they rely heavily on PBS for news, information, and educational programs."
Ultimately, the consequences of the executive order remain to be seen. However, what's clear is that public broadcasting has faced controversy throughout its history, and its future — much like the nation itself — remains uncertain.
[1] Russonello, N. (2019). 'Trump's Plan to Cut Funding for Public Broadcasting Sparks Widespread Outrage'. Rolling Stone. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/trumps-plan-to-cut-funding-for-public-broadcasting-sparks-widespread-outrage-1015192
[2] Stack, L. (2019). 'Trump's push to cut $4.7 million now forces PBS stations to make tough decisions'. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-07-11/trumps-push-to-cut-47-million-now-forces-pbs-stations-to-make-tough-decisions
[3] Specktor, B. (n.d.) 'Trump's Proposed NPR/PBS Budget Cuts Could Affect Many Rural Communities'. Alaska Public Media. Retrieved from https://www.alaskapublic.org/2017/07/24/trump-npr-pbs-budget-cuts-could-affect-many-rural-communities/
- In response to President Trump's executive order, PBS and NPR are evaluating legal options to challenge the defunding, as the loss of federal funding could force public television and radio stations to find alternative sources of income.
- If federal funding for PBS and NPR is cut, rural and remote communities could face a bleak future, as they heavily depend on these services for news, information, and educational programs.
- Public broadcasting stations in larger markets might be able to withstand the funding cuts through sponsorships and donations, while smaller stations in rural areas could potentially go dark.
- To express opposition to this defunding effort, concerned individuals can advocate for public broadcasting on platforms like LinkedIn, discussing the importance of these services in our democracy and rural communities.
