The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has announced its impending closure, a direct consequence of President Donald Trump's significant funding reductions.
This decision marks a pivotal moment in the landscape of public broadcasting, as the CPB has been a cornerstone of federal support for media outlets such as PBS and NPR. The organization revealed that the majority of its workforce will be laid off by the end of September, with a small team remaining until January 2026 to manage the transition.
According to Conservative Daily News, the closure stems from a $9 billion rescissions package approved on July 24, which drastically cuts funding for public broadcasting. This legislative move, coupled with the Senate Appropriations Committee's FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, marks the first time in over fifty years that CPB has been excluded from federal funding.
CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison expressed the corporation's commitment to supporting its partners during this challenging period, emphasizing transparency and care in the transition process. "Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations," Harrison stated.
The CPB has long been recognized as a steward of federal funding for public broadcasting since its inception in 1967. Harrison highlighted the vital role public media has played in American society, providing educational opportunities, emergency alerts, and fostering civil discourse.
"Public media has been one of the most trusted institutions in American life, providing educational opportunity, emergency alerts, civil discourse, and cultural connection to every corner of the country," she noted. The closure of CPB raises questions about the future of these services and the impact on communities across the nation.
PBS and NPR, two major beneficiaries of CPB funding, have faced criticism for their perceived left-leaning bias. Instances of alleged misinformation and biased reporting have been cited, such as NPR's incorrect reporting in 2018 regarding Donald Trump Jr.'s Senate Judiciary Committee testimony and its downplaying of the COVID-19 lab origin theory. Furthermore, NPR ceased airing President Trump's coronavirus task force briefings in Seattle in March 2020, a move that sparked controversy.
PBS has also been scrutinized for its coverage, with former White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor describing President Trump's Mount Rushmore speech as a nod to "white resentment." The network has been involved in discussions on topics like "wokeness" and "white privilege," and produced content such as the film "Real Boy," which explores themes of gender identity.
As the CPB prepares to wind down, the broader implications for public broadcasting remain uncertain. The absence of federal support could lead to significant changes in how these media outlets operate and serve the American public.
Login