Public broadcasting stations in Alaska are facing a significant challenge after the state eliminated all funding for public radio and TV. Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto has left these stations scrambling to find alternative sources of funding to stay operational.
KIYU, along with 11 other stations in western Interior and rural Alaska, has been hit hard by the loss of state funding. They had one full-time staff member, but now they plan to replace the general manager who left with three part-timers. In addition, the station has had to cut personnel costs and replace some music programs with less expensive shows. They have also reached out to local businesses to increase their contributions. However, these changes have created a heavier workload for the station.
KIYU lost $75,000 from its roughly $300,000 budget due to the funding cut. This loss ranged from 7% to 28% of revenue for the 27 stations affected. The state will still maintain nearly $800,000 to operate the ARCS TV service, which provides emergency alerts to 185 rural communities.
The Alaska Legislature attempted to restore the funding during a special session in July, but Governor Dunleavy vetoed the funds once again. He cited the need to balance the state budget as the reason behind his decision. Hopes for funding restoration now rest with the legislature’s next meeting.
At KFSK in Petersburg, $77,000 in state funding accounted for 16% of the yearly budget. Station manager Tom Abbott is aiming to make up a quarter of the funding cut through fundraising, while the rest will come from budget trimming. This includes reducing phone lines, eliminating staff travel, and ending the station’s membership in American Public Media. Abbott is determined to avoid eliminating any of the station’s four full-time positions.
Faced with the loss of funding, KCHU, based in Valdez, is adopting various approaches to raise money. From holding dances and charging admission fees to relying on the generosity of residents, the station is doing everything it can to keep going. However, the station manager, John Anderson, expressed concerns about sustaining their operations in the long run. The loss of a key funding stream, coupled with other challenges in the region, has left KCHU fighting to stay afloat.
The overall impact of the funding cut is significant, with more than a quarter of public media funding in Alaska coming from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Stations will need to increase their fundraising efforts and spend less time on broadcasting community content. The future loss of federal matching funds and the potential loss of over $1 million in state funding further intensify the challenges faced by these stations.
Public broadcasting stations play a crucial role in communities, providing local nonprofit journalism and timely information during emergencies. The loss of funding not only jeopardizes their ability to operate but also undermines their importance to the communities they serve. The hope now lies with the state legislature, as station managers and supporters look to the upcoming meeting to potentially reverse the devastating funding cuts.
