Defunding Public Media Undermines Native American Civic Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2025

Image: Bonnie Cash/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a devastating reversal, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to rescind funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), funding it had approved just two months earlier. This decision delivers a catastrophic blow to Tribal radio stations and places 36 public media stations that serve American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages in immediate jeopardy. Without CPB support, some stations could go dark permanently.

Tribal radio stations are not just another outlet on the dial. They are stations of record for many Native communities. These stations deliver life-saving information, reinforce public safety, support educational efforts, preserve Indigenous languages, and uphold the civic fabric of the regions they serve.

“When a wildfire spreads, when a winter storm blocks the roads, or when public health guidance must reach every home, Tribal radio gets the word out,” said Gerad Godfrey of Port Lions, Alaska. “There is no newspaper, local television, and unreliable internet in too many areas. People turn to radio. They trust it.”

Defunding CPB threatens critical communication infrastructure. In many remote and underserved Tribal areas, these stations are often the only reliable source of news, emergency updates, and culturally relevant content. They serve communities with limited or no broadband access and where commercial media does not exist.

“Invisibility is not a superpower. Defunding CPB will damage the civic health of Tribal Nations,” said Loris Taylor, President and CEO of Native Public Media. “Tribal stations are trusted community forums. They cover local issues, host town halls, promote civic engagement, and report on public affairs consistently. Radio empowers Tribal governments and citizens by fostering an informed and engaged public.”

“CPB funding enables excellence in public broadcasting,” added Godfrey. “That excellence includes Tribal stations that meet the same high standards as any public broadcaster in the nation despite serving the most difficult-to-reach communities with the fewest resources. Protecting CPB is not about special interests. It’s about preserving a public good that works and ensuring it continues to serve the people who rely on it most.”

Without critical CPB funding, Tribal stations will face unsustainable financial strain. Their closure would silence a vital community voice, end local news, and eliminate emergency alert systems that protect lives. The U.S. Senate will vote on the Rescission Proposal by July 18, 2025.