This op-ed from KLRN President & CEO, Arthur Emerson ran in the San Antonio Express-News on Sunday, May 4, 2025
I represent your neighbors who work in and for our community at KLRN Public Television, where I serve as president and CEO.
We urge Congress to reject the destructive proposals to rescind, cut or eliminate public media funding. Cutting federal funding would leave many Americans, especially those in rural parts of our 33-county viewing area, without access to critical resources.
The investment in public broadcasting allows KLRN to provide essential services through trusted educational resources, homegrown programming and public safety partnerships. This equals $1.60 per American per year and less than 0.01% of the federal budget.
At the core of each station’s mission is community service. Public television was designed to provide educational content and engagement opportunities to communities across the country.
Today, KLRN and PBS meet that mission using new and traditional media platforms to support children and the adults who guide and care for them.
Public television provides critical educational resources for the more than 50% of 3- to 4-year-olds in the U.S. who do not attend preschool. More than 64,000 local children and caregivers benefited from free early childhood services offered by KLRN in 2024.
This kind of content is only possible in a noncommercial setting where the sole focus is the well-being of the child.
KLRN connects communities, celebrates hometown heroes, retells local history, and shines a light on the people, places and stories that are at the heart of our community for more than 3.7 million viewers in South Central Texas
From sharing artist Jesse Treviño’s inspiring journey to paint after losing one of his arms in the Vietnam War, to teaching children sign language with Emma Faye and her hearing dog, Hank, to delivering in-depth coverage of community issues through “On The Record,” KLRN is here to share the story of our region.
Opponents of public media funding argue that private donors or corporate sponsors could make up the difference in cut federal funding. Public media was built to serve Americans, and that means everyone. KLRN serves communities in media deserts where local media is nonexistent or owned by out-of-state corporations.
That’s why we invest in bilingual educational resources, accessible content for people with disabilities and forums for civic dialogue that are open to all, not just those who can afford subscription fees.
Public media has earned the broad support of the American people across the political spectrum, according to a recent YouGov survey. For the 22nd year in a row, public television was ranked the most trusted institution, with 76% of Americans agreeing that public television provides an excellent value to communities.
Federal funding for public media is irreplaceable and essential to KLRN. This is not a temporary budget cut. If federal funding is revoked, KLRN might cease to exist and our families, friends and generations of neighbors who rely on our programs and resources will lose access for good.
Once the White House sends its proposal, Congress has up to 45 days to act.
Congress approved funding for public media in 2025. We need the public’s support to convince our representatives to protect this funding.
KLRN has made a difference in the lives of people throughout our community every day for the past 63 years. Federal funding makes it possible for us to be a lifeline, a classroom and a connection to our local community.
That is why our community’s outreach today is critical. If we can show Congress that most Americans value public media, we can protect the federal funding that makes KLRN’s work in our community possible.
It’s up to all of us to safeguard KLRN for today, tomorrow and generations ahead.