Public broadcasting stations Valley PBS and KVPR face substantial budget cuts following the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's closure.
In a surprising turn of events, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has announced its intention to shut down, following the federal government's decision to rescind $1.1 billion in funding for the nonprofit. This move has left local public media stations, such as Valley PBS and regional NPR affiliates, in a precarious position, with KVPR, the valley's local NPR station, being no exception.
KVPR, under the leadership of President and General Manager Joe Moore, is currently facing a potential 7% cut in its overall budget for the next fiscal year. Moore has been vocal about the challenges ahead, stating that they have two months to raise replacement funding to avoid cuts. He also clarified that KVPR is not seeking to become a commercial broadcaster, as federal regulations do not allow non-commercial broadcasters to sell ads.
Moore has been actively searching for solutions, with KVPR having raised about $100,000 so far. However, they need approximately $175,000 more to avoid cuts. In the meantime, they have left open positions vacant.
The shutdown of the CPB is unprecedented, as it has been around since the 60s. The defunding of local stations like PBS and NPR was a successful Republican-led effort, and it has raised concerns about the survival of local news coverage and services in many communities where local newspapers have declined.
The impact on local stations like Valley PBS and KVPR is severe. These broadcasters rely heavily on CPB federal funding to operate. The loss of CPB funding could jeopardize the operations of these local stations and diminish the availability of trusted local news and emergency broadcasts.
In a Truth Social Post, the President described public broadcasting as 'atrocious' and a waste of money. This sentiment, coupled with the budget cuts, has left many local stations scrambling to find alternative sources of funding.
As of Friday, KVPR's fundraising efforts are ongoing. Moore mentions the complexity of public stations turning private, but he remains hopeful that the community will rally to support their local NPR station.
[1] Corporation for Public Broadcasting announces shutdown
[2] Federal government rescinds $1.1 billion in funding for Corporation for Public Broadcasting
[3] Impact of Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutdown on local stations
[1] The Corporation for Public Broadcasting's (CPB) intention to shut down, following the federal government's decision to rescind $1.1 billion in funding, is causing concern and uncertainty for local public media stations across the country, such as Valley PBS and regional NPR affiliates, including KVPR.
[2] The rescinded funding from the federal government on policy-and-legislation related to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is resulting in a precarious position for local public media stations, especially in the realm of politics and general-news coverage.
