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Protect our public media in 2017

As faithful listeners of APR, you probably heard the news that earlier last week President Trump officially released his 2018 Budget Blueprint.  In it, the President proposes the elimination of funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the private agency that distributes federal funds to thousands of local public radio and television stations around the country. This has happened before, many times, but we consider this a serious threat. We are watching this closely and will keep you informed as we have new information to share.

As you know, support from our members is our most important source of revenue - over 50%. Thank you! But that support alone cannot ensure the future health of our vital public service.  APR relies on several funding sources – including federal funding from the CPB – to fuel the distinctive programming and free services that you and more than 10,000 residents of the Roaring Fork valley have come to expect from us, every day.

What you can do to support APR and CPB, today:

                 · Call of write your elected officials and tell them how much you value APR.

                 · Click hereto sign Protect My Public Media's petition to support public media.

· Volunteer and give your time to APR and to other public media organizations. Learn how

· Posttweet and share your affection for APR and for things you hear on public radio – a story or a piece of music; tell your friends how APR has impacted you or your community. 

· Make a personal gift and urge others to support APR and other local public radio stations—your membership support is incredibly important. Click here to donate.

 

Why CPB Matters Locally

· APR provides free access to trusted information which is essential for healthy communities and a functioning democracy.

· APR hosts unique cultural experiences and programming including broadcasts of world-class performances and discussions from here in our Valley and around the globe.

· APR provides vital communications infrastructure during times of emergencies.  

Why CPB Matters Nationally

· More than half of all Americans use public media every month. 170 million Americans connect through 368 public television stations, 934 public radio stations, hundreds of online services, and in-person events and activities.

· Public broadcasting is one of the most effective public/private partnerships in America. Annual federal funding amounts to only $1.35 per American and is leveraged by local stations to raise six times that amount from other sources.

· Public broadcasting supports lifelong learning for all Americans. Investments in children’s educational, cultural, public affairs and news programming, digital classroom resources, teacher training, and distance learning have made public broadcasting a leader in lifelong learning.

· Public media reaches 98 percent of Americans.  Public media stations, including our station, are among the last locally-owned, locally-controlled media in America. Without federal funding, many Americans would lose access to their only source of local media.

· Public radio funding is distributed directly from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to local stations like ours. This essential funding does not pass through NPR.