The Death of Public Funding and the Birth of a Better News Model Emerging in Northeast Ohio

Cleveland 13 (WCTU) — When Congress voted to slash $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), pulling the plug on federal support for NPR and PBS, the headlines read like an obituary. For decades, these institutions were the “safe” places for truth, an alternative to the screaming matches of cable news and the clickbait-driven chaos of corporate media.

But if we’re honest, public broadcasting has always had a quiet vulnerability: funds come with strings. When you rely on the very political machine you’re supposed to scrutinize, you’re always one vote away from your editorial independence being strangled. This latest funding cut is proof.

The truth is, this moment doesn’t just signal the weakening of public media; it’s a wake-up call for all of us. The future of news cannot depend on governments or corporations. It must belong to the people.

Why Cleveland 13 Exists, and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Cleveland 13 was built from the ground up to be untouchable. We’re a not-for-profit, volunteer-run newsroom with no government subsidies, no corporate advertising, and no shareholders dictating what we can or cannot say.

Our model was born from frustration with the broken system. We knew there had to be a better way. A way where journalists and community voices could tell the truth without fear of funding cuts, political interference, or corporate spin.

And guess what? It works. This year, Cleveland 13 was voted the #3 Best News Network in Northeast Ohio by Cleveland Scene readers; beating ABC, CBS, PBS, NPR, and Cleveland.com. We did that with zero ad dollars and zero corporate backing. Our newsroom runs on passion, collaboration, and the unshakable belief that truth should be free from influence.

Voices of Cleveland 13: Why This Movement Matters

The people who make Cleveland 13 what it is, from reporters to contributors to advisory board members, believe this newsroom represents more than just journalism. It’s a platform for authentic voices, community connection, and real change.

Sara Continenza, founder of the non-profit Food Strong, South Euclid City Councilperson, and Cleveland 13 Advisory Board member, said: “Community-driven journalism is essential for our communities to make informed decisions about everything from politics to how we navigate the complex web of society and life. It's vital that everyday people have the chance to contribute to journalism...the mainstream media is often biased and skewed, while the voice of the people is ignored. This is why I serve on the Advisory team of Cleveland 13 News.”

Sports correspondent Kristy Acuti, of TMDE Sports and Cleveland 13, added: “Cleveland 13 gives you that nostalgic feel. You feel like you know the people giving you important news that is close to home.”

Affiliate contributor Sha'Ran Marshall, a former Cavs Girl and local health and dance leader, shared her excitement: “I love working with Cleveland 13. Everything is about Cleveland and how amazing it is. Keep following, keep watching.”

Podcaster Karen Moss Hale, who recently joined Cleveland 13, shared her perspective on how the newsroom encourages real conversation: “Cleveland 13 News aims to present information in a way that supports understanding within the community, prioritizing authentic conversation over edited sound bites. The platform encourages participation regardless of background or experience.”

The Danger of Letting Mainstream Media Dictate the Narrative

When public news can be defunded by politics and privatized networks can be bought by corporations, the result is the same: narratives are controlled by someone other than the people.

Mainstream, for-profit news thrives on outrage and distraction. Public news, though better in many ways, still has to play by the rules of the political gatekeepers who write the checks; and in this current climate, that means less coverage of what matters, more careful silence where truth should be shouted.

Cleveland 13 refuses to play that game. We don’t answer to advertisers, not even our own. We don’t bow to political pressure. We answer only to you; our readers, our viewers, and our listeners.

The Future of News Starts Here

In the coming week, Cleveland 13 will be making major announcements that will further solidify why independent, community-driven news is the future. We’re expanding not just in coverage, but in how we empower people to be part of the reporting process.

This is a movement; one where the newsroom belongs to the community it serves. We’re not just reporting the news. We’re rebuilding trust, story by story.

What’s Next?

The cutting of NPR and PBS funding is not the end of trustworthy news, it’s the start of something new. We can no longer rely on government checks to keep public truth alive. We must build it ourselves.

Cleveland 13’s model isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving; and soon, we’ll show you just how big this can get.