Terry Kelliher is hosts this Kell News Show with Peter Mingils Terry Kelliher and Peter Mingils talk about funding cuts on NPR and PBS on local news and communities

The Impact of Losing Federal Funding for NPR and PBS Radio shows change is everywhere.

The potential loss of federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) radio, primarily through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), threatens a vital public service that millions rely on. The CPB, allocated $535 million annually, distributes over 70% of its funds to 1,500 local stations, with NPR receiving about 1% directly and PBS radio stations around 8-10% of their budgets. While these amounts seem small, their absence could destabilize public media, particularly in rural areas, and undermine access to trusted journalism, emergency alerts, and cultural programming.

Federal funding, though a fraction of NPR and PBS budgets, acts as a catalyst, enabling stations to leverage additional private donations and sponsorships. For instance, NPR notes that every $1 of federal funding generates $7 from local sources. In rural regions like Alaska, where stations form the only statewide news network, CPB grants are critical. Without them, many stations could close, leaving communities without local news or emergency services. Oregon's OPB, which serves as a primary Emergency Alert System hub, warns that defunding would impair its ability to deliver public safety information and journalism that has driven policy reforms.

Critics, including some Republicans, argue that NPR and PBS exhibit bias and that federal funding is unnecessary in today's diverse media landscape. They point to the $1.6 per taxpayer cost as an inefficient use of funds when commercial alternatives exist. However, public media's mandate isn't to compete but to serve where markets fail—rural areas, underserved communities, and noncommercial education. Unlike subscription-based outlets, NPR and PBS provide free access, ensuring equity.

The loss of funding would hit hardest in Q3 and Q4, as stations plan 2026 budgets. Rural stations, with limited donor bases, face immediate cuts, reducing local programming or shutting down. Larger stations might survive through donations, but the broader public media ecosystem would weaken, diminishing national programs like Morning Edition.

Preserving federal funding isn't about subsidizing "propaganda” but safeguarding a public good. Congress must weigh the modest cost against the profound civic loss. Communities deserve access to fact-based journalism and emergency services, not silence.

https://Blog.News On this episode, Terry Kelliher explains how the platform he is creating will help people that love Pickleball, like our friend Jay Sargeant, can use the platform to develop the Car and Nutrition community. We also talk about the launches of Vlog.news, Blog.News and the first channel https://publicaccess.blog.news/

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