Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in supporting two lawsuits initiated by National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). These lawsuits aim to prevent proposed funding cuts that would impact these organizations and their local affiliates.

The legal challenge arises from an executive order signed by President Trump on May 1, which directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's board and executive branch agencies to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS. NPR, along with three Colorado public radio stations—Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio, and KSUT—filed a lawsuit on May 27 to halt the proposed cuts. PBS and a Minnesota-based affiliate followed with another lawsuit on May 30.

The group of attorneys general contends that public broadcast stations are crucial for delivering information to the public. They argue that cutting funds could jeopardize public safety by threatening local news coverage, disrupting emergency notifications, reducing educational services, and limiting media access in rural and tribal areas.

In Michigan, there are twelve public media stations serving as vital news sources in many rural regions. Michigan Public is notably affected; it faces a potential $560,000 loss if funding is withdrawn from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This represents about six percent of its annual budget and could weaken its ability to serve as a key news provider across more than 30 counties.

“Public media is a vital source of independent information for countless Michiganders and Americans, especially in rural communities, where it is often the only option available,” said Nessel. “Attempts to defund public journalism are a blatant attack on the press and the First Amendment, and a disservice to the people who rely on it every day."

Alongside Nessel in filing the brief are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.