Native Public Media Statement On the Defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

July 18, 2025

Native Public Media will be closed at 12:00pm AZ/PST on Friday, July 18, 2025, to strategize for the defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. All media inquiries will be answered on Monday, Friday, July 21, 2025.

Congress voted to rescind funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, with the House of Representatives passing the rescission package and sending it to the President’s desk for signature. This action delivers a severe blow to America’s public media system and places hundreds of community-based stations, especially those serving small rural and Tribal communities, at immediate risk.

Tribal stations are trusted sources of local news, educational content, emergency alerts, and Native language and cultural programming, with a singular focus on serving the informational needs of Tribal citizens. With this funding eliminated, dozens of Native stations may go dark, severing lifelines that connect people to each other, to public safety, and to the nation.

This decision does more than cut dollars. It undermines the public’s right to information, the diversity of American voices, and the democratic principle that media should serve the public interest, not partisan agendas.

Despite this setback, Native Public Media will begin recovery efforts immediately. From day one, we will work to rebuild a stronger, community-owned and governed media system. We will advocate for stable private and public funding, explore technological opportunities, and support local stations in developing new governance models and partnerships. We will also invest in training the next generation of Indigenous media leaders.

Public media belongs to the people. We will not allow this moment to silence our communities or plunge our people back into the darkness that took decades to overcome.