September 14, 2025
In September, the Television Academy honored the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with the prestigious Governors Award, recognizing the organization’s 58 years of stewardship resulting in a public media system that is dedicated to the public good through content that educates and informs and is available to every American free of charge and commercial free.
"Finding Your Roots" host Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. presented the iconic Emmy statuette to CPB President and CEO Patricia de Stacy Harrison on September 7 at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony, which was shown on the FXX channel September 13 and is streaming on Hulu through October 7.
“In 1967, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was conceived as a means for the federal government to wield the power of television for the enrichment of all Americans, regardless of income, locale, race, color, or creed,” Gates said. “This is not the final throes of this institution. Even an act of Congress cannot erase the indelible legacy gifted to us by the charter of CPB.”
Harrison accepted the award on behalf of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the CPB Board of Directors, and CPB’s dedicated officers and staff, and expressed appreciation to the Television Academy for choosing CPB to receive the prestigious Governors Award.
“Nearly 60 years ago, a bipartisan Congress acting in the public good created a public media system providing the American people – wherever they live – with access to high quality content that educates, inspires, and informs,” said Harrison.
She said CPB has stewarded federal funds helping stations truly meet the changing information needs of American communities. “We funded programs telling America’s ever-changing story, inspiring curiosity, and a love of learning. We affirmed Mister Rogers’ philosophy to treat and see everyone as our neighbor.
“We provided the American people -- wherever they live -- with access to high-quality content that educates, inspires, and informs, for free and commercial free.
“We gave children the educational programming they need to succeed in school. We provided teens a trusted space to seek the facts at a time when misinformation overwhelms their social media feeds.
“And we made it possible for all of us—regardless of income, geography, or background—to have access to stories and ideas that inspire our best selves and remind us of what we share in common.
“All this was accomplished through the efforts of general managers of local stations, educators and volunteers, business and community leaders, donors, producers, journalists, the courageous investigative reporters at FRONTLINE, independent filmmakers across the country, our colleagues at PBS and NPR, and most of all the American people.
“Our mission has never been more vital.”
Harrison concluded her remarks predicting that the American people will ensure public media prevails and continues to deliver value to future generations, because it is in the public good.