RSU Public Television has joined with public television and radio stations across the nation in an unprecedented effort to harness the enthusiasm of the 170 million Americans who watch, listen to or use the services and programming of public media each month.
The centerpiece of the campaign is a web site – www.170millionamericans.org – that represents the beginning of a grassroots effort to engage the support and energy of listeners and viewers in local communities from Homer, Alaska, to Fort Myers, Florida.
The 170 Million Americans campaign was founded on the belief that now, more than ever, our country needs a strong public media system as a source of non-partisan news, local cultural programming and non-commercial educational programs, said Dan Schiedel, general manager of RSU Public Television.
“Public funding ensures that public media will continue to enhance the quality of life of our local communities through its offerings of children’s programming, news and public affairs, music and culture, and more,” he said.
RSU Public Television plans to promote the campaign effort to members, viewers and area communities by urging supporters to join the campaign at 170MillionAmericans.org.
“2011 will be the year when a vigorous debate over the importance of public media will occur,” Schiedel said. “We’re proud to be a driver in this coordinated grassroots efforts to harness the support and energy of every supporter of public media in America.”
For more information, contact Schiedel at 1-800-823-7210 or [email protected].
For more information about efforts nationwide, contact Bill Gray at American Public Media at (651) 290-1543 or Stacey Karp at the Association of Public Television Stations at (202) 654-4222.