The last paragraph of Washington’s Farewell Address emphasizes the importance of promoting institutions for the diffusion of knowledge, which could be interpreted as a call for government-supported education and information dissemination. While Washington himself may not have explicitly advocated for federal funding of journalism, Hamilton’s influence on the address suggests a strong belief in the role of informed citizens in a functioning democracy.
A reasonable interpretation—that this could extend to responsible journalism beyond NPR and PBS—is compelling. The idea that government should play a role in ensuring access to unbiased, non-commercialized information aligns with broader discussions about public media funding. Some scholars argue that Washington’s words support the idea that a well-informed populace is essential for national stability, which could justify federal assistance for local and rural journalism.
The autocrats want to get rid of NPR and PBS. Indivisible and the Democratic Party should be proactive and advocate their expansion.
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