Thanks to David Washburn for his wonderful documentary “Three Chaplains” (“Public media funding cuts will hurt Maine and America,” May 6). I saw it on Maine Public (PBS and NPR in Maine) and was deeply impressed with his in-depth portraits of military chaplains and their dedicated support for our service members.

In addition to supporting documentaries like this one, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds PBS and NPR, provides crucial seed funding for objective local, state, national and international news; research-backed, commercial-free educational programs for children; cultural and entertainment programming for all ages; and statewide emergency alerts.

I doubt that commercial television or radio would ever fund programs like these.

Federal funding for CPB is a vital foundation for the entire system, providing continuity and supporting infrastructure, local stations in rural areas and emergency alert systems. It is cheap at $1.60 per person, per year, and only 0.01% of the federal budget. (Individuals, businesses, and foundations contribute the balance.)

Maine’s senators and representatives know how much Maine Public is valued and needed in Maine.

Congress has funded the CPB through FY 2027. The Trump administration is working to go against Congress and cancel this funding. We must not let that happen.

Susan Payne
Cape Elizabeth