Protect My Public Media

Protect My Public Media Day is March 6

Public media faces an uncertain future. With the current continuing resolution set to expire on March 14, Congress will be making critical decisions that could impact the future of public media. At the same time, growing threats to funding put access to essential local services at risk.

That’s why we’re mobilizing on Thursday, March 6, 2025, for Protect My Public Media Day – a national day of action to celebrate and defend public media.

Take Action!

The Value of Public Media and Classical Music

By Brad Cresswell

I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating and re-examining in the wake of the current political climate and what it means for you (and the future of classical music).

Public media and classical music are two things that bring people together, educate, and inspire. Public radio and television stations play a big role in keeping classical music alive and accessible, especially in a world where commercial media often focuses on pop culture and entertainment that generates the most money. But why do public media and classical music matter so much?

Classical music has been around for centuries, but without public media, many people might never hear it. Programs on WGTE-FM (audio) and WGTE-HD (video) bring orchestras, opera, and chamber music into homes across the country. These stations introduce listeners to great composers like Beethoven and Mozart, as well as contemporary artists creating new classical works today.

Commercial radio often plays what sells, leaving little room for less well-known or experimental artists. WGTE Public Media, however, highlights a diverse range of musicians, including those who might not fit into mainstream music industry trends. It provides a platform for composers and performers from different backgrounds, ensuring that classical music continues to grow and evolve.

Attending a concert at a famous concert hall can be expensive and not always possible for people who live far from big cities. Public media helps by broadcasting live performances from world-class orchestras, opera houses, and chamber music ensembles. This means that whether you’re in a small town or a big city, you can experience the magic of a live symphony right from your home.

Public media is not driven by advertising or commercial interests, which allows it to focus on quality and depth rather than what will attract the most viewers or listeners. This means that people can trust public radio and television to provide thoughtful programming, whether it’s a deep dive into the works of J.S. Bach or a discussion about the role of music in society today.

So, Why Support Public Media?

Public media relies on government funding ($1.60 per taxpayer per year) and donations from listeners and viewers. By supporting public media, we help keep classical music on the air and accessible to everyone. Without this support, many classical music programs and broadcasts would disappear, making it harder for people to discover and enjoy this rich musical tradition.

Classical music and public media both enrich our lives, offering beauty, history, and inspiration. They remind us that music isn’t just entertainment, it’s a vital part of culture and community. By supporting public media, we help ensure that classical music continues to be heard by future generations.

You can find more information at protectmypublicmedia.org on how to support WGTE at wgte.org/donate.

Thank You!

Hear From Mary Claire Murphy on the Importance of Public Media

By Mary Claire Murphy

Just recently, I brushed off my old CYO basketball skills by joining in on the sixth annual “Celebrities” vs. Wildcats Special Olympics basketball team. It was a community game hosted by the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities to kick off the 2025 National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

In a two-game faceoff at the Bowling Green Community Center, the Wildcats squashed the celebs by sizeable margins both times. But these games were so much more than the scoreboard, and I do believe every single person left with a smile. There was fellowship, there was fun, there was laughter…and amidst it all, woven into the very fabric of the event, there was music.

From the outset, during the warmup, all the athletes on the court and all the spectators in the stands were moving and grooving to a sporty remix of Beethoven’s fifth symphony. There was classical music at play once again—in a modern guise— to enrich and energize, converting strangers to friends, and supporting the event as an invitation to see past differences and celebrate how much we have in common. 

Following the warmup, the pep band there leveled up the hype with their enthusiastic, live performances that got everyone clapping and toe-tapping, and it was the perfect backdrop for high-fives all night long. All this celebratory fanfare throughout the evening reminded me that the arts are everywhere in our daily lives and a critical part of the community.

I’m truly proud that WGTE carries on musical and artistic legacy for all to appreciate, discover, and live by. But we have to keep the spirit alive together; we can all be stewards of the music that brings such joy and humanity to the world, and we can do so by listening, by sharing, and by fighting for it.

Learn more about what you can do to support your public media at protectmypublicmedia.org.