The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has voted to dissolve, bringing to an end more than half a century of federal support for public media in the United States.

The decision was confirmed on Monday after the organisation’s board of directors formally approved plans to wind down operations. Congress cut off CPB’s federal funding last year, removing more than $500m in annual support and leaving the corporation without its primary source of income.

CPB, founded in 1968, played a central role in financing NPR, PBS and hundreds of local radio and television stations across the country. Following the funding cut, executives began distributing remaining funds through final grants while assessing the organisation’s future.

According to CPB, leaders briefly considered keeping the organisation in a dormant state, preserving its legal existence in case lawmakers later chose to restore federal funding. However, that option was rejected over concerns that a defunded but intact organisation could be exposed to political pressure or misuse.

In a statement, the corporation said allowing CPB to remain inactive could have left it vulnerable to “political manipulation”, potentially undermining the independence of the public media system.

“CPB’s final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organisation to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks,” said Patricia Harrison, CPB’s president and chief executive.

The closure of CPB signals a profound change for public broadcasting in the U.S. Local stations are now facing an uncertain future as they attempt to replace federal funding with listener donations, sponsorships and philanthropic support.

While donations from audiences have reportedly increased and private donors have stepped in to help bridge the gap, media analysts warn that the long-term sustainability of public radio and television remains in doubt.

As the Corporation for Public Broadcasting prepares to close its doors, the U.S. public media sector enters a new and more precarious era, defined by financial uncertainty and a renewed struggle to maintain independent, non-commercial journalism and programming.

Copied