California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 23 other attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief supporting NPR and PBS in their legal challenge against the Trump Administration’s directive to withhold federal funding from these public media organizations. The brief emphasizes the critical role of public media in delivering essential news and emergency notifications, particularly to rural, remote, and Tribal communities.
Attorney General Bonta stated, “Public media serves all Americans, regardless of their ability to pay. In many rural communities, public radio stations are often the main or only source for local news and regularly partner with federal, state, and local authorities to provide lifesaving emergency communications.”
The potential loss of federal funding could severely impact these communities’ access to crucial information during emergencies such as wildfires. Public broadcasters play a vital role in transmitting alerts where internet or cellular service is unreliable or disrupted. Their infrastructure allows continued broadcasting during power outages or other communication failures.
The brief highlights that rural areas would be disproportionately affected by funding cuts due to their reliance on CPB grants. Approximately 40% of CPB grantees are considered rural, with CPB funds accounting for up to 60% of a rural station’s budget.
Joining Attorney General Bonta in this legal action are the attorneys general from Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont Washington Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
