Voto Latino Warns: Gutting Public Media Undermines Democracy and Public Trust

Washington, D.C. — Voto Latino strongly opposes the House’s approval of President Trump’s rescissions package, which includes about $1.1 billion in cuts to the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. At a time when trusted information is essential to civic participation and public safety, this move threatens a critical public resource that millions of Americans rely on everyday. 

Voto Latino President and Co-Founder María Teresa Kumar issued the following statement:

“Public broadcasting is a cornerstone of civic life, and for so many first generation Americans, rural residents, and families of all backgrounds—it’s a lifeline. In an age of rampant disinformation, these networks are often the only trusted sources available. 

These cuts are not about fiscal responsibility. These cuts are an attempt to silence those who are actively informing our communities. The president has long made his disdain for public broadcasting clear, and now we’re seeing political retribution take the form of a rescissions package.

Public broadcasting is not just about news and entertainment—it’s about belonging. I still remember sitting down as a child watching programs such as Sesame Street and Mister Rogers, learning English. These weren’t just TV shows, rather they were bridges into a new life. Public broadcasting educates our kids, connects our communities, and reflects the richness of America’s diversity. Losing it means losing one of the few institutions that has truly served all of us.”

In the face of these cuts, Voto Latino remains committed to uplifting truth, defending inclusive storytelling, and standing with the public institutions that give all communities the tools to be seen, heard, and informed. 

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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.