Public Broadcasting and Media

A healthy democracy depends on citizens who are informed, curious, and engaged with the world around them. For more than 50 years, PBS has educated and inspired Americans through quality independent programming. And for 30 of those years, Rick has been a champion of public broadcasting — both TV and radio — providing his own content free to member stations and volunteering hundreds of days to support their work. We support public media because an alternative to corporate media is more needed than ever and access to quality educational and cultural programming should not depend on where you live or what you can afford.

At a Glance

RSF focus areas: Sharing What Works
Partner since: 1991
Donations to date: includes direct donations, in-kind donations, and program underwriting
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Learn More

• The Rick Steves collection on PBS
• Public broadcasting boosts American democracy (The Seattle Times, 2025)
• Don't Defund PBS, NPR (Op-ed in USA Today, 2011)
• Pixelating David: In the wake of the FCC's new decency fines, is David too racy for PBS? (Rick Steves' Europe, 2004)