SPOKANE, Wash. — Local TV and radio stations are preparing for a significant budget challenge after President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at cutting federal funds from PBS and NPR.
This executive order also bans local stations from using money from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting to pay for PBS content.
“It’s going to force local public broadcasting stations to make some very difficult decisions — like cutting programming is going to have to be on the table,” said Sueann Ramella, Director of Audience at Northwest Public Broadcasting.
Northwest Public Broadcasting, a PBS station based in Pullman out of Washington State University, could lose $2 million in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Ramella described the mission of public broadcasting as a way to “educate, entertain and enlighten the American people.” She expressed particular concern for viewers in rural communities.
“They’re on fixed incomes, and they rely solely on PBS and NPR to keep them abreast of what’s happening in the world,” Ramella said.
Another concern is the potential impact on emergency communications. Inadequate funding could weaken public broadcasting’s ability to bring safety announcements to the community during severe weather or other emergencies.
“Public radio is oftentimes the only source for local news and information. And that also goes with the emergency alert system,” said John Decker, the president and general manager of Spokane Public Radio.
Decker also highlighted the extensive reach of public broadcasting across the country. “It’s not just about NPR. It’s about the 250 local stations in the country, with 1200 stations and repeaters covering 99% of America. That’s a really big deal,” he said.
The local radio station, which broadcasts NPR news, local news, and music to listeners across four states in the Inland Northwest, stands to lose approximately $250,000 in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This represents about 10% of SPR’s operational budget.
Decker says these cuts did not come as a surprise and so the organization is exploring additional revenue streams to make up the funds.
The local radio station, which broadcasts NPR news, local news, and music to listeners across four states in the Inland Northwest, stands to lose approximately $250,000 in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This represents about 10% of SPR’s operational budget.
“We’re not panicking yet,” said John Decker, SPR’s president and general manager.
Currently, about 50% of Spokane Public Radio’s operational budget comes from listener donations. With the potential loss of federal funding, these community contributions may become even more vital to maintaining service levels.
While SPR does not currently anticipate cutting their programming, the situation appears more concerning for PBS stations in the region.
“We are relying on the American people to contact their legislators and demand that it is protected for their own sake,” Ramella said.
The CPB’s CEO has stated that funds have already been appropriated, and the non-profit will respond quickly to the executive order.
Legal challenges are expected, with the executive order almost certainly headed for court battles.
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