LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a brief (PDF) along with 22 other attorneys general in support of two lawsuits brought by National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that seek to block proposed funding cuts to the organizations and their local affiliates.

At issue in the case is an executive order signed by President Trump on May 1 directing the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and executive branch agencies to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. On May 27, NPR and three Colorado public radio stations—Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio, and tribal-serving KSUT in southwestern Colorado—sued to block the proposed cuts. PBS and a Minnesota-based affiliate filed a separate lawsuit on May 30. 

The coalition argues that public broadcast stations serve a critical role in delivering information to the public and the proposed cuts would gravely harm Americans. The attorneys general say the funding cuts would create risks to public safety and erode trust by threatening coverage of local news, creating disruptions to the distribution of emergency notifications, reducing critical educational services, and limiting public media’s unique reach to rural and tribal audiences. 

The state of Michigan is covered by a dozen public media stations. In many rural areas, these stations are the only reliable source of news, especially during emergencies. Michigan’s network of public media stations plays a vital role in amplifying important news and weather updates and they broadcast press conferences live during times of crisis. Michigan Public is the largest public radio station in the state, covering more than 30 counties. Michigan Public alone faces a potential $560,000 loss — about 6% of its annual budget — if funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is eliminated. The loss would weaken Michigan Public’s partnerships and diminish its capacity to serve as a local news source for Michigan residents.  

“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,” Nessel said. “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. Public radio reaches nearly every corner of our state, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues and with public media in defense of this essential news source.” 

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