Support. What does this word mean to most of us? When we have troubled times we look to a friend or family member for support.

Well right now, stations that provide public broadcasting are in need of support. According to 170millionamericans.org, approximately 170 million Americans every month rely on public media through 368 public television stations, 934 public radio stations, hundreds of online services, education services, and in-person events and activities.

These outlets are now at the risk of losing federal funding, which puts some of these stations at a huge risk of not surviving.

As you all probably already know, both WEIU-FM and WEIU-TV are part of the Public Broadcasting Service and face the same risk as the other hundreds of stations that this new legislation might effect.

It is now up to us, viewers and listeners like you and me, to take the reigns and make our voices heard.

WEIU has been serving this community for a long time and to imagine our community without that service is very upsetting to the thousands of parents and children locally who rely on that service for everything from weather and events news to the hundreds of community events that they themselves organize. Not to mention the educational programming that they have provided our children with for years.

We cannot sit idly by and let congress make this decision without first hearing our voices and understanding the loss we would all face without the services provided by public broadcasting.

When I was little, we only had three television stations. To rely on WEIU was a blessing to our family. I know a thing or two about making my voice heard, which is what we need to do now in order to ensure that our children have the same opportunities as us; that the folks in rural areas have the same opportunities to know when bad weather is approaching or an emergency alert is issued.

For those of you who have had cable all your lives, who don’t watch or listen to public broadcasting or just flat out don’t care, I am asking you personally.

America is asking you to step up and help us. We need more than just the 170 million viewers and listeners to stand up and deliver this message to congress.

Locally, we need you to make your opinion known to our own congressmen, Tim Johnson, and you can do so by e-mail or by phone (a phone call is more effective).

The congressman’s number is (202) 225-2371.

Please visit 170millionamericans.org for more information on the benefits that public broadcasting provides a community.

Julian Russell is a junior communication studies major. He can be reached at 581-2812 or DENopinions@gmail.com

Julie Zielinsk, a sophomore theater major, rehearses with Ryan McCain, also a sophomore theater major for the upcoming performance “Tartuffe” Thursday evening in the Black Box of the Doudna Fine Arts Center. (Seth Schroeder

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