1. United States
2. Okla.
3. Letter

The public broadcasting services provided by NPR and PBS are invaluable resources that enrich our communities and enhance public discourse. Defunding these nonprofit media outlets would undermine their vital role in providing educational programming, local journalism, and independent reporting accessible to all Americans, especially in underserved areas with limited media options. Their journalism holds true to rigorous standards of accuracy and objectivity, offering a counterbalance to the partisan narratives often pushed by corporate media conglomerates. Moreover, the minuscule portion of their budgets coming from federal funding is a small price to pay for preserving these public trusts. We must safeguard NPR and PBS to uphold the principles of a free press and an informed citizenry essential to a healthy democracy.