Your Feedback

CPB seeks to make public broadcasting more accessible to the public it serves. To do so CPB maintains a toll-free, 24-hour telephone line (1-800-272-2190), an online contact form, and accepts letters sent directly to CPB.

All comments are available on this website to be viewed by the general public. Each year, by statute, CPB transmits this public link to the White House for its report to Congress. Additionally, comments pertaining to programming are shared with the CPB Board of Directors and relevant public media staff.

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Question for Patricia Harrison, President of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

North Carolina
Feedback:

The CPB received $75 million as part of the Corona Virus "stimulus" bill.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/03/26/822215614/emergency-relief-package-provides-for-tens-of-millions-in-funds-to-help-the-arts

In view of the fact that the CPB is not impoverished, and the fact that there are starving Americans who ACTUALLY do need the money, does the CPB intend to return the $75 million to the American taxpayers as a gesture of good will?

Sincerely, Gary Roughton

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting us with your concern about funding for CPB and the public media organizations it supports. We are grateful for the strong bipartisan support that public media receives from Congress, especially during these challenging times. The $75 million in emergency funds will quickly help public media -- especially our small and rural stations -- preserve their ability to provide essential information, including public safety alerts, and educational programming and services to the American people. Without the financial support from Congress and continued financial support from the public, many public broadcasting stations and the service they provide will be significantly at risk. Small and rural public media stations often serve as a vital resource during times of emergency, often operating as one of the only, and in some cases the single, source for news and information to unversed and underserved Americans. Further, with over 90 percent of Americans being told to stay at home, public media's services are a lifeline in every state to community resources, health and safety information, and the increased education needs of our nation's children whose schools are closed. Currently, Public media stations provide local reporting on how this pandemic affects local communities, relaying and rebroadcasting information from public health and emergency management officials and delivering innovative educational services to our nation's at-home students. We look forward to working with Congress in raising awareness of how the investment in public broadcasting pays vast dividends in education, public safety and civic leadership to millions of Americans and their families.

Judy Woodward and Yamiche bias!

Vermont
Feedback:

Time to fire Judy W. and Yamiche! They have a sickening bias. The News Hour certainly has degraded since previous times. The bias illustrated is equal to CBS,ABC and NBC. PBS is funded by the public and I would expect neutral reporting. I often change channels during Yamiche's reporting. She is a lousy presenter and much too bias.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact your local station or PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

PBS News Hour

California
Feedback:

Love the News Hour. All the correspondents are great; I just wish Yamiche Alcindor could talk a bit more slowly.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

ANNUAL Public Feedback Report

Louisiana
Feedback:

As stated above this form: CPB produces an annual Public Feedback Report for the White House and Congress.

Instead of an "annual" report, I kindly request that you provide a "weekly" or "monthly" Public Feedback Report for the White House and Congress, so that our Legislators will be CURRENT on the opinions expressed by so many of their constituents on this platform. As I read through the dozens of letters here, I have come to the conclusion that MOST PBS NewsHour viewers who send feedback are complaining of the obvious BIAS (in political views) expressed by Judy Woodruff, Mark Shields and David Brooks when these journalists should be reporting on U.S. politics and interviewing guests in an "unbiased" manner. Judy Woodruff, Mark Shields and David Brooks are obviously not supporters of President Trump and his current administration and ,more often than not, let their personal feelings set the tone of the program, leading to PBS NewsHour being more of an editorial program than a news program.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Although CPB does not produce or distribute programming, we welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. Each local public broadcasting station makes its own programming choices, as CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on local public television and radio stations. Your editorial comments will have more weight if you contact PBS or your local station.

McConnell on Covid and impeachment

Kentucky
Feedback:

Why do you promote Mitch McConnell's assertion that impeachment diverted attention from Covid 19 and not mention that Trump cancelled the National Pandemic Response Team in 2018 to save money?

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Although CPB does not produce or distribute programming, we welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. Each local public broadcasting station makes its own programming choices, as CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact your local station.

Public Telivison and CPB's failure during a world wide crisis

Illinois
Feedback:

For some time I have meaning to write regarding my growing disappointment with many things WTTW does or doesn't do as well as what seems to be misguidance from the CPB. I looked up on line how to write CPB but that requires snail mail. I shall include the text of this message and snail mail it to them. Now, the Wuhan virus scare has emboldened me to write.

For sometime, I have been amazed how WTTW squanders valuable educational time during programming gaps, by using paid ads, self promotion of upcoming, yet extremely well know programs which need no promoting, rather than using those moments (often extensive) to educate. We are avid watchers of TV5 Monde from France. They, during program gaps, use the time to teach and educate. French language clips with clever teachers, human handicap issues with silly and extremely well done skits, history via the post office using postage stamps to teach that history. We, on the other hand, are subject to promotions of Downton Abbey reruns, Check Please, Suze Orman plugs, Il Volo etc etc. No teaching or education in 5-10 minute programming gaps. Public Television and local program production seems to be slipping into oblivion as more and more British programming is purchased and shown, costing lots of money inducing the need to continually ask for more and more money, rather than developing homegrown programming (I understand homegrown costs money, I am guessing a lot). Currently there is absolutely nothing addressing the current health and economic crisis that I can find, except for Chicago Tonight. When Governor Pritzker addressed the state yesterday Friday March 20, 2020 at 3PM CT, WTTW was showing its regular programming (children's programming "Nature Cat" and "Wild Kratts") not the governor. Yet WTTW covered all of the impeachment proceedings. I was absolutely bowled over this AM when tuning into WTTW to find Suze Orman peddling her books and tapes in another WTTW pledge drive. Not only was her content inappropriate for today's new economic world, it was obviously taped, old and even comical while at the same time sad, to listen to her pitch because her information is no longer valid for today’s economics, not even by a long shot. But there she was this AM at 8:40. WTTW should be ashamed. Pre-recorded re-runs of Check Please (yes, I know this is local programming) are showing as usual promoting restaurants that have been closed for a week and only serve to make people realize what they are missing. Thanks WTTW for the fingernails on a black board. WTTW should really be ashamed. Who at WTTW, completely out of touch programmers and management, does this to Chicagoland? Both CPB and WTTW are clearly missing a golden opportunity to return to the good graces of the vast non-Downton Abbey world, Congress and the politicians by reestablishing themselves as a leader in education, societal support and hope. There is no reason why Public Television can't help with some of the heavy lifting, rather than being a powder puff by mostly showing the best of British programming, instead of helping America through this crisis. I am not saying all programming needs to be dedicated to the crisis, of course not. Intelligent programming and entertainment must continue, but even a modicum of education addressing the current crisis would be welcome and be a feather in Public Television’s cap. Get rid of the Suze Orman and the other medical hucksters you have used in your pledge drives to attract contributions. Permanently! Public Television needs an upgrade and it needs it fast. You should be a shining star rather than scraping your fingernails on the blackboard

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Although CPB does not produce or distribute programming, we welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. Each local public broadcasting station makes its own programming choices, as CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact WTTW.

Yamiche Alcindor/Media Bias

California
Feedback:

I’m an International Relations major who is deeply disturbed by the depth of hostility the media is targeting at Trump. 1. He is our President. 2. As President, he has the toughest job in the world, particularly now. 3. He has innumerable decisions he must make. 4. Continual hostility will not help him make good decisions because it heightens his stress levels. Hence, his comment, “Be nice.” 5. Selfish agendas on the part of the media put us all at risk by increasing his stress levels which must be “off the charts” by now. 6. Journalists are not decision makers and “pretend questions” which are really statements of accusation is not journalism. Stop the arm-chair quarterbacking. If a journalist cannot treat the President of our country kindly and politely, I don’t trust that journalist and he/she should be removed from White House duty. 7. Journalists should do something positive and productive. The President challenged the journalists to go find out what happened to the respirators, test kits, etc. Be INVESTIGATIVE journalists. Go do that and I might consider what the journalist has to offer. Current journalists seem to be nothing more than cheap paparazzi.

During the Cuban missile crisis, JFK was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and HE created the situation. If he was that close and had the love, adoration, and at the very least silence over his transgressions from the media, then what do you think constant badgering will accomplish. If the plan is to break this tough SOB, think again. You break him, you destroy our country. I will interpret further badgering of this President in this situation as treason.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

Programing

Ohio
Feedback:

Please..please with everyone shut in.. Cant you show More cooking ..soo many are running out of ideas for meals etc!!! No one cares about all this diy right now!!! Oh and after watching the SAME commercials for the last 14 yrs..it's about time for something new!!!!!

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB does not produce or broadcast content. Please contact your local public media station with your suggestion.

Mark Shields

Washington
Feedback:

Hello, I can't seem to find an address to send this note to Mark Shields personally, so I hope that my compliments will get to him somehow. I regularly watch PBS News Hour and always look forward to Fridays when Shields & Brooks take on the politics of the week. What most impresses me is Mr Shield's consistent inclusion of history and how it applies to the reasoning he has for his opinions about the week's politics. I like his sly sense of humor, his use of language and, what appears to me, his love and respect for democracy. So many thanks and for Mark Shields. A very good man for the job!

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB does not produce or distribute programming. Your comments about the PBS NewsHour can be directed to https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/contact-us.

News with Judy Woodruff

Oklahoma
Feedback:

This is supported by my tax dollars and I would hope you would be neutral and truthful in REPORTING the news rather than spinning the news with your very obvious bias. Why should my tax dollars go toward this. BTW, I am a registered independent and pride myself voting across party lines. I am so disappointed in your lack of professionalism.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

Programming

Michigan
Feedback:

Please, please bring back The Red Green Show

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Although CPB does not produce or distribute programming, we welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. Each local public broadcasting station makes its own programming choices, as CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact your local station.

Relief Bill

North Carolina
Feedback:

With all due respect to your organization, I find it offensive that politicians have included pet political projects within the COVID-19 Relief Bill. It is inappropriate that any entity benefits from this tragic situation beyond the effects that the pandemic has had on its own operation and employees. I encourage you to either reject this windfall blood money or donate it for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment or to a COVID-19 related charity. Hopefully, you agree that it would be shameful to benefit from this money because of people's unemployment and illness.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting us with your concern about funding for CPB and the public media organizations it supports. We are grateful for the strong bipartisan support that public media receives from Congress, especially during these challenging times. The $75 million in emergency funds will quickly help public media -- especially our small and rural stations -- preserve their ability to provide essential information, including public safety alerts, and educational programming and services to the American people. Without the financial support from Congress and continued financial support from the public, many public broadcasting stations and the service they provide will be significantly at risk. Small and rural public media stations often serve as a vital resource during times of emergency, often operating as one of the only, and in some cases the single, source for news and information to unversed and underserved Americans. Further, with over 90 percent of Americans being told to stay at home, public media's services are a lifeline in every state to community resources, health and safety information, and the increased education needs of our nation's children whose schools are closed. Currently, Public media stations provide local reporting on how this pandemic affects local communities, relaying and rebroadcasting information from public health and emergency management officials and delivering innovative educational services to our nation's at-home students. We look forward to working with Congress in raising awareness of how the investment in public broadcasting pays vast dividends in education, public safety and civic leadership to millions of Americans and their families.

PBS NewsHour

February 6, 2020
Feedback:

Hello, I'm calling to complain about Judy Woodruff and how she's so pro-Republican. I'm neither. I'm an independent. I'm so tired of her cuddling up to Kellyanne Conway. I'm not going to watch your show anymore and I'm contributing to it. I am not paying what I agreed to because of her. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

So biased

New Mexico
Feedback:

I can't listen to Mark Shields. He is so biased. He makes no mention how the Democrats conducted the investigation- not calling witnesses nor allowing Republications to participate in the investigative hearings. Schiff allowed no cross examination of witnesses in the committee. Shield could care less about due process. Frankly, I could care less about his opinions because he just a silly ideologue. At what point do these people forsake objectivity and integrity? Gross negligence.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

PBS NewsHour

February 7, 2020
Feedback:

When the NewsHour talks about debates, they always put up the Democratic candidates who are still in the running and they put up President Trump. They omit Bill Wield and Joe Walsh. They are running as well and they need to be up there pictorially. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

PBS NewsHour

February 11, 2020
Feedback:

I've never made a complaint before and I've been watching PBS NewsHour since I was in junior high school when it was Jim Lehrer NewsHour. Tonight I felt that the reporting, the segment on Trump's plan for peace in the Middle East, was antisemitic and anti-Israeli. I'm not a Trump supporter, but I felt that the anchor that was substituting for Judy Woodruff was using her role as a bully pulpit. I do hope that PBS News issues and apology and never makes that mistake. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

PBS NewsHour

February 14, 2020
Feedback:

I have watched Mark Shields and valued his opinions for over thirty years on the NewsHour. I am deeply disappointed that tonight when he described the outcome in New Hampshire that he only said, "Bernie lost many votes as compared to 2016." Not once did he say that there were many more candidates than in 2016. I think he does a disservice to our country by leaving that out. Right now, the Democratic Party and others are trying to figure out whether Bernie has the message that will appeal to most of the people. When pundits or politicians obscure the facts, it is very difficult to find that out. I hate to see Mark playing into that and leading us this way. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

PBS Create Channels -- Content

Missouri
Feedback:

1) It is infuriating that Create programming choices put so many "Bob Ross" painting shows on the air. There are OTHER artists, and for your information, Ross obtained instruction from Bill Alexander and pretty much pirated all of his techniques without giving him any credit. Very ungrateful of him. 2) TOO MANY "TALKING HEADS!!!!!!!!" YUKKY. 3) TOO MANY COOKING SHOWS! How many "virtual meals" are we supposed to "eat"? 4) TOO MANY TRAVEL SHOWS, shows that must be directed to the "idle rich" who can actually afford to travel (to places more appealing than the ugly cities and endangered wilderness we see have in Trump's America). 5) WE NEED MORE DIVERSITY!!!!! You're starving the brain and soul of your viewers. SHAME.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). By law CPB is prohibited from producing or broadcasting programming. Please contact your local station with your programming suggestions.

Judy Woodruff, Shields, Newshour 2/21/2020

California
Feedback:

I am at the end of it with your "TRUSTED, HONEST, BALANCED" reporting. Really, Ms Woodruff, "hoping desparately" he will lose? You and Shields are nothing but a pair of ugly opinionated power brokers trying to discredit a person like Bernie Sanders as "sooo angry" and other defaming descriptions that are all about creating the same storm bias that took down Howard Dean, Imagine showing temporary results election without as much as showing the front runner, buried in your predjudices! The language Mr. Shields used about this candidate is so inexcusable and hateful that I will never trust Mr. Shields again.You sir are a disgrace to integrity. You two seem nothing if not determined to see the elites remaining go unscathed again. Friends of the Pelosis, Clintons, Wassermannn eh? Mercifully,Brooks was forever dignified and balanced. Thank you sir.

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. We welcome all comments about public media’s content and services. However, CPB is prohibited from interfering with editorial decisions related to programming on PBS or local public television and radio stations. Your comments will have more weight if you contact PBS directly: http://www.pbs.org/about/contact/viewer-services/

Public Media Funding

January 2020
Feedback:

I just wanted to know if public broadcasting is taxpayer-funded or if they get any of their money from the public. 

Note from CPB: Thank you for contacting us with your concern about funding for CPB and the public media organizations it supports. Public media is a public-private partnership in the best tradition of America’s free enterprise system. By law, the majority of the federal funds go through CPB, a private, nonprofit corporation, to more than 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations across the country. Stations leverage this federal investment with private fundraising dollars, with nonfederal funding representing five of every six dollars invested annually in public media.