Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest.
PBS Western Reserve has provided trusted, accessible media and educational services to 3.3 million adults and 1.8 million households across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania for over 50 years.
I just celebrated one year as President and CEO of this organization, and I am proud of what our team of 24 has accomplished. We invested in more than six new local storytelling and content initiatives; we engaged with community members at more than 40 events across the region; our educational services team provided resources and programming to thousands of children, educators and caregivers; we built new community partnerships; and we significantly increased our financial support from the community. Our newly developed strategic plan’s top priority is local impact, and our work is resonating – audiences are growing on all platforms.
PBS Western Reserve’s progress toward greater service to the region is under threat. A rescission package recently delivered from the White House to Congress proposes to eliminate already-approved federal funding for public media. This would have a devastating impact — not only on PBS Western Reserve, but on local public media organizations nationwide, particularly smaller stations and those serving rural communities.
At PBS Western Reserve, federal funding accounts for 22 percent of our budget, whereas funding for public media is less than .01 percent of the federal budget, costing taxpayers $1.60 each.
The loss of federal funding threatens our ability to continue our free, accessible public service work.
We reach children and families who may have no other access to preschool education through PBS KIDS programming and in-person learning experiences. We offer immersive, tech-forward experiences for students of all ages, and we serve hundreds of local educators with classroom resources and out-of-school-time training.
Our infrastructure supports emergency communications across the region, delivering AMBER Alerts, presidential messages, and secure datacasting technology that helps first responders stay connected when other networks fail.
Our award-winning content amplifies the stories of Northeast Ohio — from Akron’s bicentennial to wetland restoration and cultural traditions like polka. Through our Local Focus initiative, we bring community news, stories and information to the region. These are the kinds of stories only local public media can tell, and they matter.
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the role public media has played in your life — whether it’s the children’s programs that supported your family’s early learning, the trusted news you rely on, or the stories that have deepened your understanding of our region’s people, culture, and history. Think, too, about what it would mean to lose these resources and especially a hyper-local media organization dedicated to serving the needs of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. As a lifelong public media user, the loss of our stations in the region would deeply impact me and my family — and I know that I am not alone.
Please take action today. Congress has 45 days to consider the rescission package, but reports indicate that the House could vote as early as May 5. Visit the Public Media Matters page on our website for scripts and guidance on how to call your legislators while there is still time. Your voice is vital as we fight to ensure public media remains accessible to all.
Thank you for your continued support.
— Natalie Pillsbury, President & CEO, PBS Western Reserve
The Portager publishes a range of opinions from the community. To submit a letter to the editor, write to [email protected].