Attorney General Dan Rayfield of Oregon has joined 22 other attorneys general in supporting two lawsuits opposing proposed federal funding cuts to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The lawsuits were filed by the broadcasters in response to an executive order signed by former President Trump on May 1, which would remove federal support for public media.
According to the Oregon Department of Justice, following the executive order, NPR and three Colorado radio stations—Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, and KSUT—filed a lawsuit challenging the funding cuts. PBS and a Minnesota-based affiliate filed a separate lawsuit on May 30. These cases aim to prevent the reduction in funding that public broadcasters rely on to operate.
The attorneys general emphasize the role of public media in distributing emergency alerts and important public safety information. Systems such as the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Amber Alerts for missing children, and alerts for missing Indigenous persons are often delivered through public broadcasting platforms.
A legal brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia outlines the potential effects of the proposed cuts, including the disruption of emergency communication services. This includes alerts like Blue Alerts, which notify the public about suspects involved in crimes against law enforcement, and Silver Alerts for missing vulnerable adults. Oregon, for example, uses public media to broadcast EAS messages during emergencies.
The attorneys general involved in the lawsuits represent states across the country, including California and New York. They argue that federal funding is necessary to maintain public media’s role in supporting public communication, education, and safety.
