Urge the Senate to Protect Public Media Funding Today!
Federal funding for public media is under serious threat.
Federal funding to WDET provides almost $300,000 in direct dollars and additional shared services valued at over $200,000 for collaborative things like the satellite system WDET needs to bring you programming like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. It’s the same shared satellite system that allows WDET to share our Detroit stories with the nation.
We are also a part of the Emergency Alert System, which protects lives and the safety of our community.
In total, we would need over $515,000 to replace lost CPB funding — money we simply don’t have.
Rescission package passed in the House, heads to the Senate
- What just happened? At the formal request of President Trump, the House of Representatives has just voted to pass a bill that would strip away $1.1 billion in already-approved funding for public media — funding that was signed into law for the more than 1,500 stations across the country, including WDET. The measure passed largely along party lines, 214 to 212 — just two votes short.
- What does this mean for public media?
- This vote is a grave and direct attack on public media, putting at risk the independent journalism, educational programming, and local connections that millions of Americans rely on every day.
- It’s not just about defunding public media. It’s about silencing independent voices and dismantling local institutions that help keep our communities informed, safe, and connected.
- Stations like WDET are already counting on this funding to stay on the air, serve our communities, and deliver the trusted content you count on. If it’s eliminated, the consequences will be widespread and deeply felt.
- This is an inflection point. What happens next will define the future of public media.
- What’s next?
- The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, which could vote any day. If the Senate passes it, the President will sign it into law, and this funding will be gone for good. That means the threat is not only real, it’s urgent.
- This request is time-limited. If the Senate fails to pass the bill before the clock runs out, the bill dies, and the President cannot propose to rescind the same funds again — but the threat of other attacks on public media funding remains.
- What can people do to help? This moment demands action. We’re counting on our community, and we’ll keep showing up for you in the meantime. Right now, the most powerful thing you can do is help WDET prepare for what’s ahead.
- Help secure the future of public media. Become a monthly donor today at wdet.org/give. Sustained support from listeners like you is what will keep WDET strong and independent, no matter what happens in Washington. Monthly support is especially critical at this moment. The loss of federal funding will cause long-term harm. That means we will need your support in the months and years ahead as much as we need it right now.
- If you’ve already given, thank you. You can make an even greater impact by increasing your contribution and encouraging your friends and family to support WDET, or by sharing online why public media matters to you.
We’re facing the possibility of losing a key source of funding — support we, and you, depend on to provide trusted news, connection, and educational programming to our community.
You can also head to ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to learn more about how to speak out against this dangerous bill and ask your Senators to oppose defunding public media.
Prefer to reach out on your own? Contact both Senators today.
You can contact our senators on your own
Senator Gary Peters
Detroit office
Patrick V. McNamara
Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue
Suite 1837
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 226-6020
Toll Free: (844) 506-7420
Washington office
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
Senator Elissa Slotkin
Detroit office
719 Griswold Street
Suite 700
Detroit, MI, 48226
(313) 961-4330
Washington office
291 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
It’s easy to participate
Important WDET services at risk:
Emergency Broadcasting Services critical to connecting Detroit, the region and Michigan.
Local reporting highlighting community news, features and events that show the richness of Detroit and our region, including the 3-minute hyper-local daily podcast, Detroit Evening Report downloaded to over 100,000 annually and the Detroit-focused two-hour weekday arts and culture show, The Metro featuring more than 250 local organizations and individuals who serve Detroit.
Detroit Reading Information Service (DRIS) provides vision-impaired listeners with a free daily connection, and lifeline to the community. More than 45 volunteer readers support the broadcast of local, community and national newspapers, periodicals, magazines and books. Listeners hear The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, The New York Times puzzles, The Washington Post, The Jewish News, The Michigan Chronicle, EL CENTRAL among others. A ‘station-within-a-station’ DRIS is streamed online and available via a special receiver. DRIS provides more than 12,000 streaming hours each year.
WDET Internship Program inspires the future careers of over 40 students a year with paid, hands-on, real-world professional experience, and prepares the next generation of trusted media professionals.
Get involved
For more news and ways to engage, visit Protect My Public Media
Support WDET, Detroit’s Public Radio Station – WDET 101.9 FM