I can recall many years ago, a sick day from school. Depending on the day, at 10 am, it was soup and “The Price is Right” or soup and “Sesame Street.” But once noon hit, it was always “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” It was a calming and welcoming show that introduced me to public media. The sound of “And viewers like you. Thank you,” still rings in my head to this day.
I’m sure that is the same memory as many other supporters of public media. It has shaped who I am, so much so that now I work in the industry. The elements and the remnants of public media are like glitter—once you’ve come into contact with it, it stays with you. Sometimes forever.
PBS is a channel that I know is always there. When I want to relive those childhood memories, I can catch some PBS Kids shows just to remember and nurture my inner child. As an adult who needs to stay aware of the day's news, the station I know I can rely on is NPR. I can recall being a teenager in Washington, D.C. with my uncle. We were in the car and listening to NPR. I had no idea what I was listening to at the time, but I felt like I was an adult. This is what smart and intellectual people listen to.
As I got older, I realized why I felt that way. It was because when I was listening, I wasn’t taking anyone’s opinions on topics. I was creating my own using the information that was given. That realization was a powerful revelation in my intellectual evolution.
Throughout the years of watching and listening to my local and national public media stations, I learned about other communities that I traditionally would not have heard from. I heard stories from people who lived in rural communities that I had never heard of. I learned about different cultures and traditions that I otherwise would not have had access to. I was constantly and consistently getting educated—and it didn’t cost me a penny. Accessible and educational storytelling is the mission of public media.
One of my favorite projects I’ve done here at Buffalo Toronto Public Media was joining a “What’s Next?” interview of Buffalo’s Gail Lyons. Hearing the story of her father, Jimmy Lyons, and how he is a Buffalo broadcasting legend who, for some reason that nobody knows, is not in the Buffalo Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame.
Our crew was packed into Gail Lyon’s kitchen, recording and interviewing her. And it was the most comfortable space you could find on earth at that moment. To hear her tell the story, growing up in Buffalo, how the city was a hub for some of music’s legends, I’ll always remember that story.
With all of that said, the future of public media is in jeopardy. The White House is planning to submit a formal rescission proposal to eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
This is an unprecedented move that would cut all federal support for public media already approved by Congress. This funding averages about 14-15% of total revenue each year for BTPM. The funding supports local programming, news coverage, emergency alerts, and educational initiatives.
Your support is vital in helping us protect federal funding and the public media system. Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to make your voice heard before it’s too late. We’ve also compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help understand the situation. https://www.btpm.org/pmpm/#faq
Public media is not just a channel, it’s a lifeline for many. But we breathe on the strength of your support. If you haven’t already, sign up for updates on the fight for federal funding at protectmypublicmedia.org and contact Congress now. Make your voice heard.