CPB Statement on Supplemental Funding Decisions by the United States Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 27, 2020) -- Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), made the following statement regarding the CARES Act, which includes $75,000,000 for CPB as emergency stabilization funding, being signed into law: 

“We greatly appreciate Congress’ recognition of the important role and extraordinary impact America’s public media stations have in their communities.  This vitally needed stabilization funding will help to ensure all Americans will continue to have access to crucial local and national services that are being provided by public media stations across our nation.

“CPB’s core mission is to ensure universal access to high-quality, non-commercial content and telecommunications services that educate and inform the public. As school districts close across our country due to the coronavirus outbreak, public television stations are offering their broadcast and online services to help teachers continue educational instruction at home. Public media journalists in all 50 states are playing a vital role informing the local community about the latest coronavirus developments, delivering critical reporting and spotlighting local resources intended to help Americans navigate these uncertain times.

“Further, in many states and local communities, public media stations’ digital and broadcast infrastructure provide the backbone for emergency alert, public safety, first responder and homeland security services. This stabilization funding will safeguard the nation’s ability to continue to deliver emergency alerts and essential safety information.”

About CPB  
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit cpb.org, follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, on Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe for other updates.