I tend to cry when I’m frustrated, and the Trump administration’s latest attacks on public media and threats to eliminate the Corporation for Public Broadcasting are frustrating. KWMR has been a recipient of a C.P.B. community service grant since 2007. Over the years, this funding has provided about 25 percent of our operating budget.
What will it mean for West Marin’s FM radio station if the C.P.B. is defunded, or even eliminated? I was recently asked if my board of directors wanted a plan in case that happens. Since KWMR runs pretty close to the bone, that plan would be to cut back on our paid programming—23 percent of C.P.B. funds must be used to pay for nationally produced programming—and to cut staffing. Or raise a lot more money.
The Public Broadcasting Act was passed in 1967 to improve the public’s access to informative and educational radio and television. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law. A cycle of two-year advance appropriations that Congress has supported for 50 years intends to insulate the C.P.B. from partisan attacks. This allocation makes up just .01 percent of the federal budget.
The C.P.B. has been instrumental in the formation and success of PBS and NPR, and its funding supports the entire public media ecosystem—including smaller, unaffiliated stations like KWMR. Things like content delivery, the emergency alert system and music licensing agreements so artists are paid for their work are all dependent upon the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The erosion of our public media system should be extremely concerning to us all. Not only would eliminating KWMR’s C.P.B. funding result in staff cuts and reduce the variety of programming on our airwaves, such a loss would also increase the burdensome costs of licensing. Our emergency alert system could be compromised, putting our community at greater risk during wildfire and other emergencies.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting doesn’t just hand out money. Its grant program is competitive, and stations have to work hard to remain eligible. At KWMR, we submit an annual audit of our financials, and we must raise a minimum of $300,000 in non-federal financial support. This has been touch-and-go over the years, but we work very hard to stay grant eligible. You can ask my staff how much fun I am to be around during the annual audit and report filing. Tears have been shed.
As of writing, C.P.B. has not yet been defunded or eliminated. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski gets it. She has spoken out in support of funding public broadcasting and how important it is for Alaska. Sen. Murkowski said that what seems like a “frivolous expense to some has been proven to be an invaluable resource that saves lives.”
Climate events are becoming more extreme. As we saw in Asheville, North Carolina, local radio was the sole source of information for days until power and cellular service were restored. Thanks to C.P.B. funding, KWMR is ready to serve in that critical role if and when the day comes. I hope that folks all around the country are speaking up.
So, what can you do about this? You can share your concerns and support for funding public media with your elected officials. Protectmypublicmedia.org has many resources and ways to act. Talk to your friends and family around the country and tell them what KWMR and public media mean to you.
Yes, I am worried about KWMR’s funding. Our devoted community of staff, volunteers, board members, and partners are worried about losing support from the C.P.B. It is frustrating to see a program that costs American taxpayers just $1.60 per person per year, and gives so much back in return, become a casualty of partisan politics. And that makes me want to cry.
Amanda Eichstaedt has been the station manager and executive director of KWMR since 2010. She lives in Olema with her husband, Ken, and their dog, Waylon. When not recording and editing audio, Amanda can be found hiking in nature or cooking.