NPR Statement Regarding House Appropriations Subcommittee On LHHS and Education

Today, NPR expressed serious concerns about the impact of funding rescissions on public radio and television stations and the communities that rely on them every day. Cuts of 25%, or $111 million, for FY 2013 and 50%, or $222 million, for FY 2014 will severely disrupt the programming and community service of hundreds of stations.

The subcommittee is also seeking to terminate the special two year advance funding process for public broadcasting that has served for more than four decades as a firewall from political interference in programming. This provision is particularly important to maintain the editorial independence of NPR and all of those that produce news programming.

"We are disappointed and troubled by these proposals and we and our Member Stations are actively engaging with Members of Congress to explain the damage it would do to public radio and television stations if enacted. Over 34 million people rely on public radio stations every week for fact-based, independent news they can trust, for civic and civil dialogue, and for music and cultural programming that can't be found anywhere else," said Gary E. Knell, NPR's President and CEO.

Knell added, "By prohibiting stations from using CPB funds to pay for NPR programming like Morning Edition and Car Talk, the Subcommittee is overlooking the big role that our programs play in helping stations to raise private sector funds from listeners and businesses in their communities. This provision would undercut stations' ongoing efforts to raise funds locally to support expanded local news, information and cultural programming."