PBS NC leader: A near $10M budget cut hurts, but we won’t let our state down | Opinion

When Congress passed a budget rescission stripping $4.8 million annually from PBS North Carolina for the next two years, it sent a clear message: “Public media needs to listen more openly if it wants federal taxpayer dollars.” Another message is echoing loudly across the state: Public media matters.

Even in the face of financial setbacks, PBS North Carolina’s work continues with purpose, resilience and the backing of those it serves — the citizens of North Carolina. Bottom line, this is not the end of Big Bird.

Yes, some feathers have been ruffled. A few may have been plucked. Yet we are far from grounded. This $9.6 million loss over two years is a major hit — though it is not fatal. And it will not shake our deep commitment to the people of North Carolina.

Since 1955, when UNC-TV first signed on the air under the visionary leadership of UNC President William Friday, our mission has remained constant: to educate, inform and connect North Carolinians — especially those in communities historically underserved or geographically isolated. President Friday understood the power of public media long before Congress created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. He insisted that funding should come from private donors and the people we serve. In the decades since, public and private funding have combined to establish a partnership that enabled us to reach new heights.

That legacy is alive and well.

PBS North Carolina is a truly statewide network, from the mountains to the coast. Our work touches every corner of the state — through original local content, educational initiatives and public safety infrastructure. Our Rootle Ambassadors, made possible by the generosity of the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, are now active in all 100 counties. They are bringing children and families early childhood learning resources, literacy tools and joyful engagement directly to their neighborhoods.

And we’re available to everyone — for free. Our over-the-air signal reaches the entire state without need for cable, satellite or internet. At a time when increasingly more media is locked behind paywalls or subscriptions, PBS North Carolina remains a truly universal service. We are accessible to all regardless of income or access to technology.

Educational programming remains central to our mission. So does storytelling. We take pride in telling North Carolina’s stories — authentically, beautifully and boldly. And in times of crisis, we are a lifeline. During hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other emergencies, PBS North Carolina has kept citizens connected to the North Carolina Emergency Management system and the critical information they need to stay safe.

So what happens when PBS’s budget is cut during a crisis? It means the tools people rely on in life-or-death situations could be weakened. It means communities, especially in rural or underserved areas, may be left without the real-time, trusted information they need. Public media isn’t just culture and education — it’s also public safety.

We also understand that not everyone agrees with every program or perspective we present — especially as we explore complex and sometimes controversial topics. That’s okay. In fact, that’s the point. North Carolina is a diverse state filled with people with different experiences, values and viewpoints. We welcome their stories, ideas, and voices. Public media is at its best when it reflects its community. Our commitment is to listen — truly listen — to differing perspectives, encourage respectful dialogue and ensure that every viewer feels seen, heard and valued.

We are surprised and disappointed in the North Carolina members of Congress who voted to eliminate federal funding for public media in their own state. So are many of their constituents. This decision impacts classrooms, families and local public safety — and moves away from decades of bipartisan support for what we do.

Yes, we will need to make adjustments. We have not finalized exactly what those adjustments will look like, but we are actively working through those decisions and will remain transparent throughout the process.

We are also proud of our evening newscast. It is a highly respected program with thoughtful, straightforward journalism, committed to the truth and dedicated to covering issues that matter to North Carolinians and the country. At a time when trust in media is fragile, we remain a steady and reliable voice.

To those who have stood beside us through the decades — thank you. Your support matters now more than ever.

No, Big Bird hasn’t lost his feathers. They’ve just been tousled by the wind. But they’ll grow back. And so will PBS North Carolina — stronger, more innovative and even more deeply rooted in our mission to serve the people of our great state.

We are here. We are ready. And we are not going anywhere.

This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM with the headline "PBS NC leader: A near $10M budget cut hurts, but we won’t let our state down | Opinion."