Today, North Carolina Representatives Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Alma Adams (NC-12), Deborah Ross (NC-02), and Don Davis (NC-01) sent a letter to Senate leadership urging the removal of proposed funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) from the Senate’s rescissions package. The lawmakers warned that such cuts would threaten essential communication services provided by 39 public broadcasting stations across North Carolina, particularly during emergencies like hurricanes.
Addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), the letter stressed the critical role of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR) in times of crisis. “A federal halt of funding would hurt domestic community TV and radio stations supported by PBS and NPR,” the lawmakers wrote. “Public broadcasting is pivotal to North Carolina, especially during hurricane season and other natural disasters.”
The representatives pointed to the recent example of Hurricane Helene in 2024, which devastated western North Carolina. With power and internet outages widespread, public radio became the only reliable source of information for many. Local stations provided timely updates on water access, food distribution, and emergency instructions—lifesaving information that national outlets couldn’t deliver.
The letter also noted the disproportionate impact cuts would have on rural areas. “Many parts of North Carolina are rural with limited access to high-speed internet or cable. Public broadcasting reaches these communities via radio and TV over the airwaves without internet,” the lawmakers said. Reducing funds, they argued, would compromise broadcast quality and restrict coverage in areas where it is most needed.
In addition to reaching underserved communities, the lawmakers emphasized that local journalists provide tailored, county-specific emergency updates that national broadcasters cannot replicate. “This precise, on-the-ground information was indispensable for survival during and after the storm.”
The letter concluded with a warning: “Cutting funds for public broadcasting undermines trusted, accessible, and crucial communication tools during natural disasters. It puts residents—especially those in rural and vulnerable communities—at greater risk.”
