Rochester Officials, WXXI Push Back Against Federal Move to Defund Public Media

Local leaders and public media advocates are raising strong objections to a new executive order from the Trump administration that aims to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting. They say the move threatens journalism, education, and community service nationwide — including right here in Rochester.

The order, issued May 2, directs federal agencies to halt future funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports national outlets like NPR and PBS, as well as local stations such as WXXI Public Media.

Despite the news, WXXI says it remains fully operational and committed to its mission. The station, a trusted source for nearly six decades in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region, emphasized that its programming and services will continue without disruption — at least for now.

“While we are disappointed by the president’s decision, our mission remains the same,” said Christopher Hastings, WXXI president and CEO. “We’re here to serve Rochester through trusted journalism, educational content, and cultural storytelling — and we will not back down. This is a time for resolve.”

WXXI is currently reviewing the executive order with national partners and is urging the community to stay engaged and speak out in support of public media.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans strongly condemned the order, calling it a politically motivated attack on an essential public service.

“Public media like WXXI isn’t just entertainment — it’s vital to our democracy and our daily lives,” Evans said. “This is a reckless attempt to silence voices that often go unheard in commercial media.”

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello echoed those concerns, noting that many families — particularly in rural areas — rely on public broadcasting for reliable, free access to news, education, and culture.

“For many residents, public media is the most dependable — and sometimes only — source of information and enrichment,” Bello said.

At the state level, Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged to explore alternative funding options to protect local stations should federal dollars disappear.

“We won’t sit quietly while the federal government tries to dismantle one of the few institutions still prioritizing facts over profit,” Hochul said.

State Sen. Jeremy Cooney called the order “censorship disguised as policy,” stressing the importance of public stations in promoting transparency and civic engagement.

Assemblymember Sarah Clark announced plans to introduce a resolution in the State Assembly urging Congress to reject the cuts.

Concern is also growing among parents and educators, especially over the potential loss of PBS Kids programming and related classroom tools.

“For my kids, PBS Kids wasn’t just TV — it helped them learn letters, numbers, and kindness,” said Marisol Ramirez, a Rochester City School District parent. “That kind of support matters, especially for working families.”

WXXI provides educational programming, emergency alerts, and bilingual local news to communities throughout upstate New York. Roughly 10% of its budget comes from federal funds, according to station officials.

Congressman Joe Morelle, who represents Rochester, vowed to fight the executive order in Washington.

“Public broadcasting is essential to a healthy democracy,” Morelle said. “I’ll do everything I can to protect WXXI and stations like it from these harmful cuts.”

While the executive order doesn't take effect immediately, public media supporters warn that it could have lasting consequences for non-commercial broadcasters across the country. WXXI says it will continue to monitor the situation and keep the public informed.