The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was dissolved Monday by its board of directors, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations.
The board of CPB, which was created by Congress to oversee the federal government’s investments in public broadcasting, didn’t have much choice. Trump and Republicans in Congress last year stripped the organization of its $1.1 billion in federal funding, which represented the full amount it was set to receive over two years.
Trump’s White House claimed NPR and PBS shouldn’t get federal money because they produce “woke propaganda.” But both are reputable news sources, and the reality is Trump simply wants to shut them down because they don’t report on him in flattering ways. Public radio stations are also a lifeline to rural communities, where plenty of Trump’s supporters are now being hurt by the loss in services.
The effort to defund CPB was led by Office of Management and Budget director Russ Vought, who has been downright gleeful about haphazardly slashing billions from federal programs.
In a statement, CPB board members said the combination of lost federal funding and sustained political attacks “made it impossible” for it to continue operating.
“What has happened to public media is devastating,” said Ruby Calvert, chair of CPB’s Board of Directors. “After nearly six decades of innovative, educational public television and radio service, Congress eliminated all funding for CPB, leaving the Board with no way to continue the organization or support the public media system that depends on it.”
Patricia Harrison, the president and CEO of CPB, said public media still remains “essential” to a healthy democracy.
“Our hope is that future leaders and generations will recognize its value, defend its independence, and continue the work of ensuring that trustworthy, educational, and community-centered media remains accessible to all Americans,” she said.
Scary times