Public media may be at risk — but let’s not lose sight of who serves us

Yesterday, we received a note from our friend at Nebraska Public Media, Stacy Decker. If you don’t know the name, Stacy recently stepped into the role of General Manager and CEO of the organization at one of the most challenging times in public broadcasting history.

In Stacy’s letter, he explains that a fast-tracked rescission package has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now awaits Senate approval. If passed, it would eliminate all previously approved federal funding for public media. Though the national investment is minimal—about $1.60 per person annually—it represents a significant 16% of Nebraska Public Media’s operating budget, supporting journalism, educational resources, and emergency communication systems. Supporters are being urged to act swiftly to protect this funding.

You’ve likely heard criticism of NPR—the national organization—from the current administration and others. Some of it is rooted in budget concerns, but much of it is fueled by perceptions of political bias. Those perceptions are hard to dismiss outright. The tone of coverage, especially during Republican administrations, has been shrill enough to alienate even center-leaning listeners.

The 2010 firing of Juan Williams raised similar concerns. His ousting prompted a national conversation about political tolerance and editorial standards at NPR and Congress took note. There was a brief period of reflection and restraint, but like many institutions in our polarized age, NPR seems to have drifted back toward a narrower viewpoint.

Still, it’s important not to lose sight of what public radio has provided. For decades, it offered news, culture, and storytelling that simply couldn’t be found anywhere else. Nina Totenberg’s Supreme Court reporting is legendary—nuanced, authoritative, and unmatched in commercial broadcasting. Public radio filled a gap others didn’t even try to bridge.

But that’s the national scene; not what we’re talking about here.

Nebraska Public Media is a different kind of outfit. It focuses on our people, our stories, our priorities. It’s the only statewide network offering continuous coverage of the Nebraska Legislature—something no commercial outlet attempts–and it’s deeply intertwined with the University of Nebraska system. It’s our emergency broadcast backbone, and it’s homegrown.

We might also bear in mind that Stacy Decker knows McCook. He’s walked into our newsroom, broken bread, and talked about what matters here. We may even see his team covering the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival this weekend—not because it makes national headlines, but because it matters to Nebraska.

We can have honest debates about the direction of NPR, the national organization, but we should also recognize that Nebraska Public Media is made up of people who live here, listen here, and serve here. They’re not faceless figures in Washington. They’re our neighbors.

Whatever happens in Congress, we hope Nebraskans of all political stripes will recognize that distinction. You can support Nebraska Public Media without endorsing everything that comes out of the national feed. In fact, we think that’s exactly what Nebraskans have always done—supporting the institutions that reflect our values, while insisting they live up to them.

Let’s not forget that.