Congress has eliminated federal funding for public media. It is heartbreaking that after decades of outstanding public service by more than 1,000 public media stations in all corners of the United States, the federal investment in American communities has disappeared.
Federal funding represented $4.3 million of KPBS’ annual budget. We are fortunate to be in a strong financial position that will allow us to keep serving San Diego, but the long-term loss of funding will negatively impact us and influence the plans we have for the future.
As your local public media station, KPBS is an essential, front-line, public service accountable to you. Our goal is to empower San Diegans to make informed decisions to build, celebrate and grow as individuals, families and communities. We do this by providing trusted, balanced and insightful news, and educational and entertaining stories and events that reflect the voices and aspirations unique to our region. To do this, we need the support of our community more than ever. We will make it through this challenge because of you.
We are defunded not defeated.