The Relentless School Nurse: The Battle for Public Media – Protecting PBS, CPB, and Our Communities

As a school nurse, I have always considered public media to be a lifeline—one that informs families, supports schools, and reaches our most vulnerable children and communities in times of crisis and calm. Like many of my readers, I am deeply concerned by the unprecedented attack on the institutions that provide safety nets for our communities, like PBS, NPR, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

What’s Happening: More Than Budget Cuts

Let’s be honest—this is not simply about trimming the budget or promoting so-called “fiscal responsibility.” This is an assault meant to silence the voices that serve the public. President Trump issued an executive order to eliminate federal support for PBS and NPR, alongside Congressional approval to withdraw over a billion dollars in funding for CPB. As a result, CPB began shutting down—ending nearly sixty years of service in education, local journalism, and emergency communications. The outcome: millions of families, especially those in rural and marginalized communities, are losing access to critical programming and services.

Why This Matters to Nurses, Families, and Schools

PBS and NPR go far beyond providing entertainment or news. They are trusted public health allies. Their coverage reaches nearly every American household—broadcasting emergency alerts, credible health guidance during the pandemic, and educational programming that bridges the digital divide. As a school nurse, I have depended on these resources for the latest updates on COVID-19, vaccines, and health protocols. I know my readers have as well! For families without reliable internet, PBS and NPR have often been the only source of accessible, trustworthy information.

During disasters, in the face of misinformation, and when children need educational stability, public broadcasting steps up. Initiatives like Sesame Street in Communities offer families tools for coping with trauma, supporting mental health, and continuing to learn—but only when the public broadcasting infrastructure remains strong.

The Consequences: Wider Inequality, Silenced Communities

Cutting CPB funding risks shuttering local stations, particularly in communities that commercial networks ignore. This will deepen information gaps, worsen health disparities, and leave countless families without trusted, commercial-free programming. Children, seniors, and low-income families will bear the brunt of these losses.

Our democracy relies on robust public media. Investing in public broadcasting guarantees access to fact-based news and educational opportunity—not just for those who can afford it, but for everyone. Silencing public broadcasting weakens our communities, undermines our public health, and endangers informed citizenship.

Now Is the Time to Act

Defunding PBS, NPR, and CPB isn’t just a political move—it’s an assault on public media and public health. If we care about our families, schools, and the future of our nation’s well-being, we cannot stay silent.

Here’s What You Can Do:

• Contact your representatives and speak out against the elimination of public media funding. It is never too late to voice your objections and concerns. Mid-term elections will be here before we know it!

• Share your story about how PBS and NPR have supported you or your community. Send them to relentlessschoolnurse@gmail.com

• Support your local public media station if you’re able.

• Raise awareness on social media, at community meetings, and among parent and advocacy groups.

• You can also support Sesame Workshop by clicking this link!