US Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Shut Down After Trump Funding Cut
In a move that has left many in the public broadcasting sector reeling, the US Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced on Monday that it will be shutting down after 58 years of operation. The decision comes as a direct result of the funding cut imposed by former President Donald Trump and his Republican Congress, which eliminated $1.1 billion in crucial funding for public broadcasting.
The CPB was created by Congress in 1967 to support the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. Despite its history of bipartisan support, the organization found itself at the forefront of a bitter partisan battle over funding. With Trump's rescission package, the CPB's future became increasingly uncertain, leading to this final decision.
"We have made the difficult decision to close the Corporation for Public Broadcasting after 58 years of service," said Patricia Harrison, the CPB president and CEO. "Our board faced a profound responsibility: to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values that it represents."
The move has been welcomed by some, including Ruby Calvert, chair of the CPB Board of Directors, who described it as "devastating" but also hopeful for the future. "Public media will survive," she said. "I am convinced that a new Congress will address public media's role in our country because it is critical to our children's education, our history, culture and democracy."
The closure has far-reaching implications for hundreds of TV and radio stations across the US, many of which rely on CPB funding to operate. Without this support, some stations have already announced plans to shut down or go independent to save money.
"This decision is a blow to public media," said Harrison. "But we remain committed to ensuring that trustworthy, educational and community-centered media remains accessible to all Americans. Our hope is that future leaders will recognize the value of public media and defend its independence."
As the CPB closes its doors, it is distributing its remaining funds to support other organizations in the public broadcasting sector. The organization's own archives are being preserved at the University of Maryland, providing a valuable resource for researchers and historians.
The closure serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that public media plays in American society. As Harrison noted, "Public media remains essential to a healthy democracy." With its legacy now on the line, it remains to be seen whether future leaders will find the resources necessary to preserve this vital institution.
In a move that has left many in the public broadcasting sector reeling, the US Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced on Monday that it will be shutting down after 58 years of operation. The decision comes as a direct result of the funding cut imposed by former President Donald Trump and his Republican Congress, which eliminated $1.1 billion in crucial funding for public broadcasting.
The CPB was created by Congress in 1967 to support the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. Despite its history of bipartisan support, the organization found itself at the forefront of a bitter partisan battle over funding. With Trump's rescission package, the CPB's future became increasingly uncertain, leading to this final decision.
"We have made the difficult decision to close the Corporation for Public Broadcasting after 58 years of service," said Patricia Harrison, the CPB president and CEO. "Our board faced a profound responsibility: to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values that it represents."
The move has been welcomed by some, including Ruby Calvert, chair of the CPB Board of Directors, who described it as "devastating" but also hopeful for the future. "Public media will survive," she said. "I am convinced that a new Congress will address public media's role in our country because it is critical to our children's education, our history, culture and democracy."
The closure has far-reaching implications for hundreds of TV and radio stations across the US, many of which rely on CPB funding to operate. Without this support, some stations have already announced plans to shut down or go independent to save money.
"This decision is a blow to public media," said Harrison. "But we remain committed to ensuring that trustworthy, educational and community-centered media remains accessible to all Americans. Our hope is that future leaders will recognize the value of public media and defend its independence."
As the CPB closes its doors, it is distributing its remaining funds to support other organizations in the public broadcasting sector. The organization's own archives are being preserved at the University of Maryland, providing a valuable resource for researchers and historians.
The closure serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that public media plays in American society. As Harrison noted, "Public media remains essential to a healthy democracy." With its legacy now on the line, it remains to be seen whether future leaders will find the resources necessary to preserve this vital institution.
Can you believe it? The US Corporation for Public Broadcasting is shutting down because of Trump's funding cut... that's like me eating a whole pizza by myself and then blaming my stomachache on someone else 
. On a more serious note, I'm kinda sad to see public broadcasting go... but I guess it's true what they say: "you can't keep a good thing down" 
. Maybe the archives at the University of Maryland will be like a time capsule for us, reminding us of how awesome PBS was 
.
The US Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutdown is a huge loss for the country. I mean, think about all the educational content they provide and the history we need to learn from them. It's not just about the TV and radio stations that are gonna shut down, it's about the democracy itself 
. Without public media, how are we supposed to stay informed about current events? I'm glad some people think this is an opportunity for a new Congress to step in and save public media though 
. We need trustworthy news sources that aren't just catering to one side of the spectrum. This whole thing gives me hope that things might turn around soon 
.
can't believe what's happening to public broadcasting! like, who thought cutting funding for something that actually serves the community was a good idea? 
it's so sad that a corporation that's supposed to support our democracy is shutting down 
i mean, what's next? 
does this mean we'll have to watch more ads on TV or something? 
the thought alone is giving me anxiety 
. I mean, what's next? They gonna shut down our libraries too? Or the National Parks? This is a clear example of how the rich and powerful are trying to control the narrative and suppress any kind of opposition to their views 
. And don't even get me started on this "devastating" but "hopeful for the future" stuff from Ruby Calvert 
. We gotta stay vigilant and keep pushing back against these kinds of moves 
u guys cant believe what's happening? so the us corporation for public broadcasting is shutting down because of trumps stupid funding cut 
58 yrs of history and now its all gone 