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Congressional representatives

Congresswoman Matsui Fights Against Trump Administration's Attacks on Public Media

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) strongly criticized the Trump administration's decision to cut $1.1 billion in funding for public radio and television, which would jeopardize access to free community-supported programming, educational content, and lifesaving emergency alerts for millions of Americans. Matsui, Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, emphasized that the funding cut is a direct attack on the free press and will force local stations, especially those in rural and remote communities, to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and potentially go off the air.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration's $9 billion rescission package includes $1.1 billion in funding cuts for public radio and television, which would impact over 1,500 local stations nationwide.
  • The cuts would compromise access to free, community-supported news, educational programming, and emergency alerts for millions of Americans.
  • Congresswoman Matsui has introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from revoking broadcast licenses based on the viewpoints they disseminate.
  • Matsui led a bipartisan letter emphasizing the importance of federal funding for public radio and television.
  • The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to provide non-commercial educational programming to the public.
  • CPB provides grants to 1,216 public radio stations and 365 public television stations, serving nearly 99% of the U.S. population with free programming and services.
  • Congresswoman Matsui has actively pushed back against the Trump administration's attacks on the free press, including introducing legislation to protect the independence of the FCC.

Statistics:

  • $1.1 billion: Amount of funding cut by the Trump administration for public radio and television.
  • 1,500: Number of local stations nationwide that would be impacted by the funding cut.
  • 216: Number of public radio stations receiving grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  • 365: Number of public television stations receiving grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
  • 99%: Percentage of the U.S. population served by public radio and television stations.
  • 50 years: Duration of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.

Sources:

  • Congresswoman Doris Matsui's office statement, Washington, D.C., May 2023.
  • Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.
  • Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) statistics.
  • Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act legislation introduced by Congresswoman Matsui in March 2023.

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