Since it was established in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, public media has faced threats of federal defunding. Following the 2024 general election, these threats to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — the independent organization that stewards the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting — have renewed.   

 PBS Western Reserve has always relied on our viewers’ help to protect our funding, but we may need it especially in the coming days. Currently, the appropriation for CPB funding is forward-funded two years through September 30, 2027.  

Public media is facing multiple serious threats. The Administration has proposed eliminating federal funding in its annual budget request, issued an Executive Order to block support for PBS and NPR, cancelled grants that support the creation of children's educational programming, and plans to claw back funding approved by Congress. 

Federal Funding is 22% of PBSWR’s budget. We are working to grow revenue from community sources so that we are less reliant. 

The most impactful way that community members can help is by calling your senators and US representative asking them to tell Congress to reject the rescissions package and stop the dismantling of public media. Resources are available on ProtectMyPublicMedia.org. 

Hashtags: #ProtectMyPublicMedia 

Website: protectmypublicmedia.org 

Social Handles to Use When Tagging: 

Please make sure to tag PBS Western Reserve on social media when posting. Below are our platform handles.  

Facebook - pbswesternreserve 

Instagram - pbswesternreserve 

X (formerly Twitter) - pbs_wr 

LinkedIn - PBS Western Reserve 

Graphics to Use: 

Suggested Copy

Caption #1: As a community member, I am deeply concerned about the significant challenges currently facing public media. The potential decisions that threaten PBS Western Reserve put at risk the vital services that our community depends on daily. 

Federal funding is a crucial component of PBS Western Reserve's budget, accounting for approximately 22%. This support is essential to provide free, high-quality entertainment, educational resources for families and educators, and much more. 

I urge you to visit protectmypublicmedia.org to discover how you can lend your voice in support of this indispensable resource. Please, use your voice. If you’ve already called or emailed — thank you — and I urge you to do it again. Every message matters and our collective voices can make a powerful statement to legislators: Public media is essential. #ProtectMyPublicMedia 

Caption #2: As a community member of PBS Western Reserve, I would like to express my strong support for the preservation of public media funding which is currently at risk. Such funding is crucial for maintaining the invaluable resources that our community depends on. 

For only $1.60 per person annually, federal funding empowers PBS Western Reserve to provide essential information that can save lives, deliver educational resources, and share local stories that unify our community. The loss of this funding would jeopardize these critical services. 

I urge you to visit protectmypublicmedia.org and join me in advocating to Congress for the protection of PBS Western Reserve before it's too late. If you’ve already called or emailed — thank you — and I urge you to do it again. #ProtectMyPublicMedia 

Caption #3: As a community member, I want to express my strong support for public media, which currently faces a critical threat. Efforts to eliminate already-approved federal funding could disrupt services that you, your neighbors and local educators rely on.   

At just $1.60 per person each year and less than point zero one percent of the federal budget, federal funding allows PBS Western Reserve to deliver community-based services, from standards aligned educational resources to local programming and life-saving emergency alerts.   

Without public media alternatives, kids are increasingly left exposed to algorithms and targeted ads. Without public media emergency communications, rural Americans and first responders are more likely to be left in the dark during disaster. Without public media, local stories will go untold.    

The stakes have never been higher. Do your part. Let your friends and family know what’s on the line and visit protectmypublicmedia.org to tell Congress to protect PBS Western Reserve while there’s still time. #ProtectMyPublicMedia  

Please contact SVirgallito@PBSWesternReserve.org with any questions!