In 2020, Senator Dan Sullivan stood on stage and proudly accepted the Champion of Public Broadcasting Award from America’s Public Television Stations. He used that moment to talk about the value of public media — how it connects Alaskans across vast distances, informs rural communities, and is “very important…in providing excellent community-based services.”
Five years later, those words ring hollow.
When It Mattered Most, Sullivan Turned His Back on Alaskans
When given the chance to stand up for public radio again, Sullivan turned his back on the very Alaskans he once claimed to support. With his vote for the Big, Bullshit Bill, Sullivan sided with his billionaire allies in D.C. and backed deep cuts to public broadcasting — stripping away funding to one of Alaska’s most essential lifelines.
Public Radio Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Lifeline
For many rural communities, public radio isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s how families hear about storm warnings before conditions turn dangerous. It’s how neighbors learn about wildfire risks, emergency alerts, and community updates when there’s no other way to get the word out.
Taking that away doesn’t just isolate people — it puts lives at risk.
A Pattern of Betrayal, Not Leadership
Sullivan’s reversal isn’t just hypocrisy. It’s a betrayal of Alaska’s people and values. When forced to choose between protecting critical local services and pleasing his wealthy political allies, he made his choice — and it wasn’t Alaska.
Alaskans deserve better. We deserve leaders who keep their word, who protect the systems that hold our communities together, and who fight for us not only when it’s politically convenient, but every single time it counts.
Public broadcasting has always been about connection — keeping Alaskans informed, prepared, and united. Losing that support threatens more than just our access to information; it threatens our safety and sense of community.
It’s time for leaders who remember who elected them and who they’re supposed to serve.
