Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

Report: Majority of U.S. Voters Trust Public Media


Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

As the Senate prepares to vote on the Rescissions Act of 2025 -- which would eliminate $1.1 billion in previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) -- a new national poll finds that most U.S. voters trust and value public media more than commercial media, and oppose the proposed funding cuts.

The survey, conducted online by Peak Insights between June 29 and July 1 among 1,000 likely voters, shows that 53% of respondents trust public media networks and local stations to report the news "fully, accurately and fairly," compared to just 35% who say the same about the media overall.

At the same time, 53% of voters said they oppose eliminating all federal funding for public media. Only 44% supported such a move.

"Public media is a trusted, vital part of American life, available free of charge and commercial free," said CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison. "It delivers early learning resources to families, life-saving emergency alerts to communities, and trusted local and national programming to keep citizens connected and informed."

Among the services and programming voters said they highly value:

  • 82% support public media's emergency alerts

  • 66% value children's educational programming

  • 66% support local programming

  • 60% value national news reporting

The poll also found public media enjoys a favorable reputation with voters, especially in contrast to commercial media. Local public television and radio stations received 65% favorable ratings, PBS 61%, and NPR 54%. By contrast, 61% of voters expressed an unfavorable opinion of for-profit media.

Additional findings highlight public support for public media's mission:

  • 68% agree public media serves as a lifeline for rural and underserved communities

  • 66% believe it provides quality educational content for children

  • 62% say it should remain free of charge

  • 64% support appointing an independent ombudsman to ensure content is fair, balanced, and politically neutral

As steward of federal appropriations for public media, CPB said it remains committed to delivering unbiased, nonpartisan news and information, as well as investing in new technologies and services that enhance civic engagement and reflect local needs.

"The path to a better, more trusted public media is only possible with continued federal support," Harrison said. "Federal funding compels CPB to continually strengthen efforts to deepen trust and fulfill the mission envisioned by Congress through the content and services provided by local stations."

The Senate vote on the Rescissions Act could determine whether public media retains its federal financial support amid competing budget priorities.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

NRRC Welcomes New Natl. Radio Network & Syndication Members
The Network Radio Research Council (NRRC)
The Network Radio Research Council (NRRC)
The Network Radio Research Council (NRRC) has announced the addition of leading research professionals from several major national audio companies, including Audacy Networks, Compass Media Networks, Entravision, Key Networks-United Stations, and Reach Media. The expansion brings a More

Quu Visual Radio Ads Boost Purchase Intent by 89%
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
New research finds that in-dash visuals synced with AM/FM radio ads can dramatically increase purchase intent and brand engagement, offering a new frontier for audio advertising. In this week's Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group blog, studies from Quantilope and System1/JCDecaux examine the More

Rising Through the Ranks 2025 Scholarship Recipients Revealed
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) and Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW) have revealed the 26 scholarship recipients selected for this year's Rising Through the Ranks program. Designed to foster the next generation of female leadership in the radio industry, the annual initiative combines More
Advertisement

Radio Milwaukee Adds Jon Adler and Maggie Corry
Jon Adler
Jon Adler
Veteran Milwaukee radio personality Jon Adler is returning to local airwaves, joining Radio Milwaukee's WYMS (88Nine) as Assistant Program Director and weekday evening host. Starting Monday, Adler will be on the air from 6-10pm and will also helm a new Saturday request show, "Let's Hear It!," debuting August More

CPR Approves FY 2026 Budget, Welcomes Three New Members
Colorado Public Radio (CPR)
Colorado Public Radio (CPR)
During its annual meeting, Colorado Public Radio's board of directors approved its budget and work plan for the new fiscal year beginning July 1, while also announcing the addition of three new members to its governing board: Carrie Okizaki, Arnold Salazar, and Sruta Vootukuru. The three incoming members More

SiriusXM to Broadcast Live Coverage of The 153rd Open
SiriusXM
SiriusXM
SiriusXM will deliver live national radio coverage of The 153rd Open Championship, airing 45 hours of on-course play from July 17-20 at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. Golf fans across the U.S. can follow the action on The Open Radio channel, available on channel 92 More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement