Get Involved: 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting

One-hundred seventy million Americans watch, listen to or use public media each month.

KPLU is participating in 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting, a national, grassroots effort to rally the support and energy of listeners and viewers in communities from Homer, Alaska to Fort Myers, Florida. KPLU and its Seattle colleagues, KUOW and KCTS, are part of this national effort.

The 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting campaign is founded on the belief that now, more than ever, our country needs a strong public media system as a source of non-partisan news, local cultural programming and non-commercial educational programs.

Public funding ensures that public media will continue to enhance the quality of life of our local communities through its offerings of news and public affairs, music and culture, children’s programming, and more.

The timing of this effort is vitally important because public broadcasting will once again be under attack in the 2011 Congressional session.

Facing a federal deficit, members of both Houses will look to cut spending and discretionary funds, such as those for public media, are on the chopping block.

“2011 will be the year when a vigorous debate over the importance of public media will occur,” says KPLU General Manager Paul Stankavich. “We’re proud to be a part of this coordinated grassroots efforts to harness the support and energy of every user of public media in America.”

KPLU plans to promote the campaign effort to station members and the Puget Sound community by urging them to join the campaign and send a message to Congress at http://www.170millionamericans.org/take-action.

How to get involved:

• Register at 170millionamericans.org with your name, email and zip code.
• After registering, you will receive news from Washington, DC.
• When events warrant it, we will ask you to contact your elected representatives and encourage them to support funding for public broadcasting.
• Tell your friends and family at your next social function, or right now on Facebook and Twitter.