Vivian Schiller calls loss of federal funding a chance for NPR and PBS to reset and seek new support after $9B rescissions bill.

Schiller Sees New Path Forward After Loss of Public Broadcasting Funds

Former NPR CEO Vivian Schiller has weighed in on the future of public broadcasting, describing the recent congressional cut of federal funds as an opportunity for a “reset” rather than a crisis. Schiller’s comments came on Saturday during an interview with MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” just days after Congress passed a $9 billion rescissions package that eliminated approximately $1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports both NPR and PBS.

“The fact is this is done. The money is gone. The rescission has happened. So my perspective now is let’s move on,” Schiller stated, advocating for optimism and a constructive approach in the wake of the funding cuts. “Those of us that care about local journalism are going to help them.”

While many journalists and commentators have criticized the cuts as a blow to the free press, Schiller argued that the end of federal support might ultimately benefit public broadcasting by encouraging new funding models and governance structures. “Look, in many cases, I have long believed that mixing journalism and federal funding is just a recipe for disaster,” she said. “So in many ways, I think this is an opportunity for a reset.”

Schiller predicted that the CPB—a government entity responsible for distributing public media funds—will disappear as a result of the rescissions. She called for new ways to support rural and local stations, suggesting that communities and philanthropies can step up to fill the gap. “Let’s come up with a new governance structure. Let’s get support for those rural stations from the communities, from philanthropies and find other ways to support them,” she urged.

Emphasizing her belief in positive change, Schiller reflected, “I tend to look at the bright side of life and say let’s just find a better way forward, because there were problems with the former system.”

NPR Braces for Change Amid Political Criticism

Katherine Maher, the current CEO of NPR, echoed the sense of upheaval but signaled resolve as the organization prepares for a future without federal funding. In a message to staff before Congress approved the bill, Maher said, “We are going to go through a tremendous amount of change,” and promised to “continue pushing” until the transition is complete.

NPR and PBS have faced increasing criticism in recent years, especially from Republican lawmakers and conservative voices who have accused the networks of bias in their coverage. Maher has repeatedly denied such allegations but acknowledged the reality of significant changes ahead for the organization.

As the loss of federal funding reshapes the landscape of public broadcasting, Schiller’s call for innovation and local support offers a vision for how NPR, PBS, and affiliated stations might adapt. The coming months will be critical for these institutions as they seek new financial stability and strive to maintain their role in American journalism.