On June 12, 2025, the House narrowly voted (214-212) to cut nearly $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds PBS and NPR. This will significantly impact smaller stations serving rural communities nationwide. This bill now advances to the Senate.
In our second episode of Season 2, Grace Lee talks with WXXI’s Chris Hastings about recent staff layoffs and federal funding cuts roiling public media, preserving trusted information as a vital public resource, and what innovation looks like to him while navigating the ‘Upside Down’ present.
Show Notes
“House approves Trump’s request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid” by Kevin Freking
June 12, 2025, Associated Press
“House Committee Advances Bill To Rescind Funding For Public Broadcasting Stations, NPR And PBS” by Ted Johnson
June 10, 2025, Deadline
In response to the defunding of WORLD channel documentary programming and staff layoffs, over 400 filmmakers signed an open letter on May 23, 2025 addressed to GBH, CPB and PBS leaders:
Letter to Susan Goldberg, CEO GBH re: WORLD
“GBH to cut jobs, shift programming at WORLD Channel” by Adam Reilly
May 9, 2025, GBH
“GBH cuts more than 40 staffers in new layoffs” by Chris Burrell
June 2, 2025, GBH