Save public media

Recently, the current administration indicated that they want to eliminate all funding for America’s public TV and radio stations, going as far as taking back funds that Congress, in bi-partisan votes, had already appropriated.

As the past chair for our region’s public broadcasting stations WPSU-TV/FM, I know that federal funding is essential for local public television stations’ ability to provide all Americans in communities across the country with essential services in public safety, education and community connections, everywhere, every day, for free.

At about $1.60 per person per year, and less than .01% of the federal budget, federal funding for public broadcasting provides an exceptional return on investment through public safety partnerships, educational services and homegrown programming.

The vast majority of federal funding goes to local public media stations like WPSU, which are some of the last local media, particularly in rural, remote and underserved communities throughout the country.

Public television provides critical education resources for the 54% of 3- to 4-year-olds in the U.S. who do not attend preschool.

Public broadcasting is an essential service, offering programming that expands the minds of children, documentaries that open up new worlds, news programs that keep citizens informed on world and local events and programs that expose viewers to science, music, theater, dance and art.

Let your members of Congress know that you want them keep public broadcasting vibrant and viable by rejecting the proposed cuts.

Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to let your voice be heard.

Greg Petersen, State College

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