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What’s next for PBS and NPR after Republicans strip funding?

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Ken Burns has made more than 30 documentaries and won multiple Emmys.

In an interview on “PBS News Hour” on Thursday, he emphasized that if not for financial support from public television, the educational shows like “The Civil War” and “Baseball” may never have been produced.

As a devoted advocate for public broadcasting, I’m proud to stand by an esteemed filmmaker whose works, such as the highly anticipated “The American Revolution,” grace our screens on PBS. It’s worth noting that approximately 20% of his project budgets come from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a body that, unfortunately, Congress has recently voted to discontinue funding.

According to Burns, projects heavily dependent on public media financing may struggle to materialize. This would lead to a decrease in diversity among filmmakers since fewer newcomers would find it challenging to break into the industry.

This week, the U.S. Senate endorsed a plan proposed by the Trump administration to cut off approximately $9 billion in federal funds that were earlier designated for foreign aid and public broadcasting. The House of Representatives agreed with this package late on Friday night, paving the way for President Trump to sign it into law.

It appears that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, responsible for funding NPR radio stations and PBS television affiliates, faces a potential shortfall of approximately $1.1 billion in its budget over the next two years.

The reductions in funding will have a significant effect on NPR and PBS, as stated by their leaders to The Times. It’s anticipated that there will be layoffs and fewer programs, and these effects will particularly affect smaller regions that depend more on government support for their operations.

Gabriel Kahn, a professor from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, stated that the impact will be felt strongest in areas that are already in dire need,” or

“According to Gabriel Kahn, a professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, the places that are currently struggling will experience the greatest effect.

Hollywood Inc.

In simple terms, local stations affiliated with NPR (National Public Radio) and PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), particularly those situated in Southern California, may face challenging choices due to a decision by the U.S. Senate to recoup funds initially earmarked for their operational expenses.

Smaller market broadcasting stations tend to have fewer staff members due to a difference in funding compared to larger city stations. However, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting played a crucial role as a “balancing force,” as per Kahn, by supplementing the budgets of smaller stations, ensuring their continued operation.

As these respected and community-minded voices gradually fade away,” Kahn explained, “it’s foreseeable that the world will grow progressively more solitary. This is because within a year, you won’t be able to listen to their perspectives on the radio in many regions.

Media leaders react

Reducing funding aligns with a long-held aspiration among conservatives and libertarians, who find it objectionable that taxpayer money is used to sustain media outlets, particularly those perceived as having a left-wing bias. For years, Republicans have advocated for the reduction of public broadcasting due to their belief that its content leans liberal.

Trump has called NPR and PBS government-funded “left-wing propaganda.”

However, many influential figures in the media and politics swiftly highlighted the potential damage these cuts could cause, particularly in areas where local television stations heavily depend on government grants for their operations.

A PBS station is much like a public library; it’s an essential institution that often serves as the sole source for local news in many communities, as stated by Burns. There’s a feeling of local responsibility associated with it, and as news expands to encompass national and international events, there’s a growing void in this regard.

PBS President Paula Kerger expressed similar concerns.

In the coming weeks and months, several of our stations that offer exclusive local content and crucial emergency updates for free may need to face tough choices,” Kerger stated on Thursday.

Politics

Following Hurricane Helene’s destruction in Asheville, North Carolina, the sound that resonated from open vehicle windows as locals sought cellular service during the autumn months was that of Blue Ridge Public Radio.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who is among the two Republicans voting against the package, expressed her firm opposition to the reductions in funding for public media following the vote. In a statement issued afterward, she used the recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Alaska as an illustration of the vital services these stations offer. Specifically, she highlighted how during this week’s earthquake, which triggered a tsunami warning, these public service stations played a crucial role.

It appears my coworkers are aiming at NPR, but ultimately they might end up damaging, and eventually shutting down, local radio stations that offer vital news, warnings, and educational content not just in Alaska, but nationwide.

A devastating blow to SoCal stations

Media organizations situated in the bustling cities of Southern California have a higher likelihood of receiving contributions from affluent residents, making them less reliant on government funds compared to those based in smaller regions. However, even these urban stations will experience an immediate financial strain.

In the Los Angeles region, National Public Radio (NPR) based in Washington, D.C., operates two significant local stations: KPCC-FM (89.3), often known as LAist, and KCRW-FM (89.9).

Based in Pasadena, LAist was on track to receive approximately $1.7 million, which represents around 4% of its yearly budget. In terms of their local news team, this amount is roughly equivalent to funding for 13 journalism positions. Meanwhile, KCRW in Santa Monica anticipated receiving $264,000 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Due to a potential reduction of $4.3 million in federal aid, PBS SoCal – the organization that manages KOCE and KCET TV stations in Orange and Los Angeles counties – may encounter financial difficulties, as stated by their president and CEO, Andy Russell.

Connie Leyva, head of KVCR Public Media in San Bernardino (a station that broadcasts PBS and NPR programs), mentioned earlier this week that the Senate’s decision could result in a loss of $540,000, which equates to approximately 6% of their annual budget. Due to these financial constraints, she may need to reduce her workforce by eliminating five positions from an already slim team.

Kahn, a USC professor and the head of Crosstown L.A., a non-profit newsroom dedicated to local reporting and data journalism, warned that these cuts might lead to unexpected impacts on Donald Trump’s supporters.

Interestingly enough, these regions tend to favor Trump significantly, yet they exhibit the strongest loyalty towards their community radio stations,” he pointed out.

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2025-07-19 01:31

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