APTS is leading the fight to preserve public broadcasting’s editorial firewall in the face of new attacks. Key Members of Congress and interest groups have waged public campaigns designed to influence Public Television’s content and programming decisions.

These attacks have included veiled threats to cut federal funding to compel public broadcasters to relinquish exclusive editorial control over programming. APTS is mobilizing its member stations and community of supporters to contact their Members of Congress to express support for public broadcasting’s editorial firewall and reject governmental interference.

“Public Television is not an ivory tower, and we welcome community engagement around the programming and services we provide,” said APTS President and CEO John Lawson. "However, threats by Members of Congress create unintended consequences that can inflict great harm on public broadcasting and our democracy."

Some Members of Congress who use the threat of funding cuts to seize editorial control over program content are not only directly attacking Public Television and Radio, but they are also attacking the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Lawson concluded: "Public broadcasting is by far the most trusted media institution, according to polling each year. But if we don’t maintain our reputation for independence, we violate our trust with the public." Click here for joint statement by APTS, CPB, NPR, PBS on Editorial Integrity.