Save Public Television.

Okay, here is a draft petition you can adapt. Remember to tailor it with specific details or adjust the tone for your specific audience or platform (like an online petition site) if needed.

Petition to Protect Essential Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting

To: The Members of the United States Congress and The President of the United States

Date: May 6, 2025

We, the undersigned citizens of the United States, urge you to maintain and protect robust federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

Public broadcasting, including PBS member stations and NPR stations across the country, provides an irreplaceable service to the American people. It is a cornerstone of education, a vital source of trusted information, and a critical platform for arts, culture, and civic discourse.

Federal funding for the CPB is essential because:

It Provides Universal Access to Education: Public broadcasting offers high-quality, free educational programming for children (like Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood) and lifelong learning resources for adults, reaching communities, urban and rural, regardless of income. This is particularly vital in areas lacking other educational resources.
It Delivers Trusted News and Information: In an era of widespread misinformation, public broadcasting provides in-depth, objective news and analysis (like PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, NPR News) essential for an informed citizenry and a healthy democracy. Local stations provide critical local news coverage, often unavailable elsewhere.
It Connects Communities and Enriches Culture: Public broadcasting brings arts, science, history, and cultural programming into millions of American homes, fostering understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives. Local stations act as community hubs, reflecting local interests and concerns.
It Serves Underserved Populations: Public broadcasting reaches nearly every American household, including those in rural and low-income areas who may not have access to cable or high-speed internet. It also provides emergency alert services.
It Represents Exceptional Value: Federal funding constitutes a small fraction of the federal budget, but is critical seed money. Every $1 of federal funding leverages approximately $6 from non-federal sources (state/local governments, businesses, foundations, and individual viewers/listeners), multiplying its impact significantly.
Threatening or reducing federal funding for the CPB jeopardizes these vital services that millions of Americans rely on daily. It weakens our educational infrastructure, diminishes access to reliable information, and harms the cultural fabric of our nation.

Therefore, we strongly urge you to:

Support and maintain robust federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in all appropriations bills.
Oppose any legislative or budgetary measures that seek to reduce or eliminate this critical funding.
Recognize and champion the profound return on investment that federal support for public broadcasting provides to the American people.
Protecting public broadcasting is an investment in an educated, informed, and connected America. We ask for your commitment to safeguarding this essential public service for current and future generations.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned Concerned Citizens

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