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National Press Club's Stand on Public Media Funding

On June 6, 2025, Mike Balsamo, the president of the National Press Club (NPC), released a critical statement regarding proposed cuts to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This organization plays a pivotal role in supporting public media entities like NPR and PBS, which are essential resources for communities across the United States.

The Importance of Public Media

Balsamo emphasized that public media transcends partisan debates—it's fundamentally a service that audiences rely on for reliable journalism and critical information. Over the years, public media has been a lifeline for millions, especially in areas lacking independent news outlets. With the constant closure of local newsrooms, the emergence of vast news deserts has become a pressing concern, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

As highlighted in Balsamo's statement, public media frequently serves as the only source of free, trustworthy news in these communities. Whether during natural disasters like hurricanes or public health crises, it has proven indispensable in linking citizens with essential updates. It also plays a crucial role in civic engagement, holding local governments accountable and informing the populace about key community issues.

Democratic Implications

The NPC president stressed the critical connection between informed citizenship and democracy. He firmly stated that an informed public is integral to a functioning democratic society and that public media is irreplaceable in facilitating this. The potential defunding would not only exacerbate the challenges faced by communities that depend on public broadcasting but also compromise the collective ability of the citizenry to remain informed and engaged.

Balsamo's message was clear: cutting funding for public media is a shortsighted move that would yield detrimental consequences for the citizens who rely on these services most. It weakens the democratic infrastructure and hampers the public's ability to participate in civic life meaningfully.

Call to Action

The National Press Club has called upon Congress to reject these proposed cuts, advocating instead for the protection of public media as a foundational pillar of American democracy. As the NPC continues to champion press freedom, they urge lawmakers to recognize the significance of sustaining public media services for all citizens—not only as a matter of journalism but as a crucial public service.

Founded in 1908, the NPC stands as an emblem of press freedom, representing over 2,500 journalists. In moments like these, the NPC's voice resonates as a reminder of the essential role that information dissemination plays in our society.

To contact the NPC for more details, reach out to Bill McCarren at 202-662-7534 or email at [email protected]