Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure to rescind already-approved funds for public media across the country. For the Public’s Radio & Rhode Island PBS, that would mean losing about 10% of our budget.
The Senate hasn’t yet approved the rescissions package, but if they do, it would threaten our ability to provide you with the in-depth reporting, arts and culture coverage, and educational programming that you rely on every day. Our president and CEO Pam Johnston spoke with morning host Luis Hernandez about what it all means.
TRANSCRIPT:
Luis Hernandez: What’s at stake if the federal funding is rescinded?
Pam Johnston: There is a lot at stake. Local, independent news, journalism, reflection, storytelling, educational programming, and the list goes on. Public media exists to serve us – all of us – across the nation, and importantly here at home. It is locally owned and operated. Everyone who works in every public media station is from that place, and it’s owned by people who live there. That doesn’t exist anymore. This preservation, this voice, this locality, would be devastated if this funding were rescinded.
Hernandez: How much funding would the Public’s Radio &Rhode Island PBS lose if the Senate approves this package? And what would be the impact for the organization as well as the community that we’re serving right now?
Johnston: We would lose about $1 million a year. That’s a lot of money. It serves our newsroom, our local journalism, our arts and culture coverage, our educational programming. The infrastructure to keep a public media organization such as ours thriving and supporting our community at live events and listening sessions and partnerships it goes on and on. Everything would be reduced.
Hernandez: You talk about educational services. How would the funding cuts impact those programs?
Johnston: We have a small but mighty education team. This is a team of four, five people who serve students, teachers, educators and families all across our state with educational resources and support that folks need, primarily in our most underserved areas. I have some numbers here for you. Our education team hosted and supported over 90 events this year, serving 3,000 learners across Rhode Island, again, especially in high need areas. This work directly supports folks who are speaking multiple languages and who might not have support otherwise. That would be hit pretty hard should we lose this funding.
Hernandez: So the House has passed its version of the bill. This is now in the hands of the Senate. But what happens next?
Johnston: So we’re waiting for the Senate to consider the rescissions package, and they basically get to vote yes or no. A yes vote means the money that had already been approved would be clawed back. A yes vote means we will no longer be funded at this level and we would lose that $1 million. A hearing is likely to happen as soon as this week, and the vote could happen anytime up until July 18. That’s the deadline for the vote.
Hernandez: I want to know about how you are feeling with everything that’s happening right now.
Johnston: That’s a good question, and my feelings are complex. I am filled with hope, determination, and a lot of fight, and I’m concerned. Public media has faced challenges before; never anything quite like this. I believe deeply, and I know our listeners do too, that the value that we bring and the stories that we tell and the local reflection that matters here to our community is worth preserving and fighting for. So I will continue to talk as long as you listen, and ask our audience to stand with us, to support us with a dollar donation if they can. If they can make a donation, that is helpful and that keeps us on the air. But also, your voice counts – also supporting us by visiting ProtectMyPublicMedia.org, signing a petition, calling Sen. Whitehouse and Sen. Reed, both of whom have been great advocates. These are all the ways you can join us in this fight to preserve this very special institution.
Hernandez: Thank you for saying that. It could feel almost helpless as a listener because of what’s happening in D.C., but people can get involved and do something.
Johnston: Your voice has never mattered more than it does right now. So please stand with us. Call your senators, sign up for our newsletter. And if you can make a donation. It really, really matters now more than ever.
