Pew Research: Most Americans Support Federal Funding for NPR and PBS

A new Pew Research Center survey finds that a majority of Americans continue to support federal funding for NPR and PBS—public media institutions known for news, educational content, and cultural programming.

Key findings:

• 55% of U.S. adults favor continued federal funding for NPR and PBS

• 20% oppose it, while 24% are unsure

Partisan breakdown:

• 76% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents support funding

• 34% of Republicans and GOP leaners support it

• Among Republicans, support (34%) still slightly outweighs opposition (32%)

Age differences:

• Adults under 30 are more likely to say they’re not sure—40% fall in this category

• Adults 65 and older show the strongest support

This continued backing of public media highlights its value as a trusted source of information and education. Despite today’s divided media landscape, Americans still recognize the role NPR and PBS play in civic life—from “Morning Edition” and “PBS NewsHour” to children's shows like “Sesame Street.”

In an era of growing mistrust and misinformation, public media’s mission—fact-based, noncommercial journalism and educational content—remains vital. And most Americans agree it’s worth investing in.