Statement on Rescission of Funding for Public Broadcasting

The following is a statement from Allyn Brooks-LaSure, chief communications officer and vice president for communications programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Killing funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is shortsighted and dangerous—and it won’t make America great. For millions of families, particularly in rural and other underserved communities, public media is a trusted and reliable source for accurate health reporting, emergency alerts, and educational programming. This punitive move is laced with lethal irony considering this Administration, which touts 'radical transparency,' is now cutting off people’s access to essential news sources and life-saving information.

For decades, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has supported and provided grant funding for PBS and NPR because everyone deserves access to clear, credible health information. We will proudly continue that support, even and especially amid the federal government’s retreat. But no amount of philanthropy can fully replace the critical role of public funding in keeping people informed and communities prepared.

With this vote, this Administration has dismantled yet another essential pillar of our nation’s public health system. And once again, it is families with the fewest resources who will pay the highest price.

For more information or to speak with an expert, contact media@rwjf.org.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

RWJF is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to get to health equity faster and pave the way together to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.