How Federal Funding for Public Media Works - and Why It's Essential for WMRA

The public media ecosystem is under threat and federal funding for public media is crucial for WMRA's ability to serve the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia with high-quality, independent journalism and cultural programming.

As threats to this funding continue to emerge, it's important to understand exactly how this system works and what's at stake for our region.

5/15: On Wednesday, May 14, in an update to the court challenge of President Trumps removal of CPB Board Members, NPR reported:

"A federal judge in Washington D.C. heard a legal challenge to Trump's firing of the CPB board members. The nonprofit corporation contends those firings are illegal because CPB is not part of the federal government. It asked for a preliminary ruling preventing Trump's decree from taking effect while the larger case goes to trial.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss sharply questioned the lawyer for the CPB over whether such a ruling was necessary. The judge suggested that until he issues a decision in the case, the CPB could go about business as usual with all five members – as it has been doing, despite Trump's demand."

A ruling on this case is still pending.

5/2: NPR reported that President Trump has signed an Executive Order prohibiting the use of CPB funds for the purchase of, or direct support of, NPR or PBS programming.

What the order does - and doesn’t - attempt to do:

• It targets federal dollars only, preventing WMRA from using those funds to support NPR programming.
  
• It leaves public media's overall congressional appropriation unchanged.
  
• It does not prohibit the future distribution of CPB funds to local public media stations.

Read the full Executive Order

Statement from CPB

Statement from NPR CEO Katherine Maher

4/29: NPR reported that on Monday evening, April 28, the White House sent an email on President Trump's behalf, asserting that he was removing three of the five board members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The CPB sued Trump on Tuesday morning in response, pointing to federal law and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to argue that he does not have the power to take these actions.

4/15: NPR reported that President Trump plans order to cut funding for NPR and PBS. Once this request is formally submitted, Congress will have 45 days to adopt or reject the request.

• It’s called a “rescission” package, a rarely used method to cut federal spending.
• The specific programs targeted for rescissions have not yet been formally announced, but it’s likely the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) – funded two years in advance – and other key public media programs that support stations will be included.
• This would start a 45-day countdown for Congress to review and vote on the proposal, with a simple majority needed to pass the proposal.
• During this time, the administration can temporarily withhold any funding included in the plan.
• The funds in question are for FY26 and FY27, unrelated to any future funding beyond what was already appropriated in the recent continuing resolution.
• If Congress doesn’t approve the plan – or can’t get enough votes to pass it – the funding must be released.
• The Senate can also pass it with a simple majority, and either house has the option to change what’s included.

WMRA reaches the most remote communities across the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia, with high-quality, non-commercial programming and services every day. For some residents in our rural areas, WMRA may be one of the only reliable sources of local news and emergency alerts, a service we provide regardless of income level or internet access.

On the national scale, public media reaches nearly 99% of the United States.

At an estimated $1.60 per American annually, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) helps ensure that listeners across our region have access to trusted news, emergency information, and programming that celebrates our local culture and connects our communities.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is an independent nonprofit that distributes federal dollars to local stations like WMRA. This funding is forward appropriated at the federal level, a mechanism that was deliberately designed to provide a buffer between political pressures and public broadcasting. The CPB distributes these funds directly to stations, not to NPR or PBS, allowing WMRA to invest in programming and services according to our community's specific needs and interests.

For fiscal year 2025, WMRA received $173,301 which amounts to 11% of our annual operating budget. This critical support enables us to bring you both national programming like Morning Edition and local reporting on issues that matter to our communities. When you hear WMRA reporters covering educational issues affecting our local schools, investigating environmental issues in the Shenandoah Valley, or interviewing local artists and musicians, CPB funding helps make that work possible. See examples of our local reporting

CPB funding allows public media stations like WMRA to pool our resources towards satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, and music licensing, all of which would be much more expensive for stations to do on their own. This collaborative approach enables WMRA to bring you national programming from NPR while maintaining our strong local focus. It's an efficient system that maximizes the impact of every dollar invested.

Cuts to federal funding would negatively impact the ability for stations across a rural network like ours to serve the people who need it most. In many areas of the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia, WMRA is a primary source of local news, weather, emergency alerts, and cultural programming. Reduced funding would force difficult decisions about which services and programs we could continue to provide to our listeners.

The CPB is distinct from NPR. It is not a broadcaster, but a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. The CPB serves two primary functions: to act as a firewall between partisan politics and public broadcasting, and to help fund programming, stations, and technology that serve the American public.

Funding for the CPB is established through the federal budget annual appropriations process two years in advance with the intention of insulating funding from political pressures. Its total appropriation is currently over $500 million, distributed to hundreds of local stations across the country. The CPB's mission ensures universal access to high-quality content and telecommunications services that are commercial-free and free of charge.

It's important to understand that NPR and PBS don't receive direct support from the CPB; the funding goes directly to local stations like WMRA so we can decide how best to program for our communities. This system has enjoyed bipartisan support for more than 50 years because it serves Americans of all political perspectives and geographic locations.

WMRA maintains a growing local newsroom at a time when many commercial news organizations are downsizing or closing altogether. Our reporters live in the communities they cover, providing context and nuance that national outlets often miss. When the Charlottesville City Council debates affordable housing initiatives, when Shenandoah National Park faces conservation challenges, or when local elections approach, WMRA's reporting helps you stay informed and engaged with no commercial or partisan influence.

WMRA serves as a cultural hub for the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia, featuring local musicians, authors and artists. For the past decade, our Books & Brews series has introduced local authors and their work to thousands of listeners, in person and on the air. Local programs like the Acoustic Café celebrate both traditional Appalachian sounds and contemporary artists, preserving our heritage while embracing new voices that reflect our diverse communities.

Through WMRA's connection to the NPR network, stories from the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia reach millions of listeners across the country. When our reporters contribute to national programs, they ensure that our region's unique perspectives and experiences become part of the national conversation. This two-way relationship enriches both our local broadcasting and the national public media landscape.

Building Community Across Differences

At WMRA, our local presence and multimedia approach provides listeners and readers with memorable stories that feed curiosity and foster understanding. Our reporting crosses political and social barriers, helping listeners connect with neighbors they might otherwise never meet. From the farmer in Highland County to the professor in Charlottesville, WMRA's programming helps build a sense of shared community and common purpose.

Essential Information During Critical Times

During emergencies like winter storms, flooding, or public health crises, WMRA often serves as a vital information resource for communities across our broadcast area. Our commitment to accurate, timely information has helped residents navigate dangerous weather, understand pandemic guidelines, and access emergency services. When power outages affect the region, battery-powered radios tuned to WMRA provide crucial updates when other communication channels fail.

What Would Happen Without Federal Funding?

The loss of CPB funding would have profound implications for WMRA and the communities we serve. Without adequate funding, WMRA might need to reduce the variety of programming we offer, limit cultural programming, or even reduce our broadcast reach to certain communities. The stations that would be most affected, like WMRA, are often those serving rural and under served areas - precisely the communities that benefit most from public media's services.

You can make your voice heard by contacting your representatives in Congress to share your thoughts about public radio in Virginia. Let them know what WMRA means to you and your community.

WMRA's service continues thanks to your ongoing and generous support. If you're already a supporter, we thank you for making our work possible. If you're not a current donor or can give more generously, now is an excellent time to start giving, increase your sustaining gift, or consider becoming a leadership donor.

Proudly share your support for public radio, and encourage your friends to support WMRA too. Talk about the stories you hear on our station, share our content on social media, and help others understand the value that public media brings to our region. If you need a sticker to make your support visible, let us know at wmra@jmu.edu and we’ll send you one!

Federal funding for public media isn't just about dollars and cents-it's about ensuring that everyone in our community has access to trustworthy information, cultural enrichment, and emergency services regardless of their location or economic status. For more than 50 years, WMRA has served Virginians of all backgrounds and beliefs, preserving a space for civil discourse and shared experiences in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Your support helps ensure that WMRA can continue to serve the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia with programming that informs, inspires, and connects our communities for years to come.