GBH announced a $225 million fundraising campaign Wednesday, as the public broadcaster attempts to weather major funding cuts from the federal government. The " Fund the Future " campaign launch was timed to coincide with the start of the government's new fiscal year and the expiration of federal funding. GBH is hoping to raise the money over the next three years.
For nearly a decade, Ari Shapiro's voice has been a fixture of America's evening commute. As co-host of All Things Considered, he guided listeners through breaking news and the day's headlines, reported from around the world, drew out politicians and artists alike with genial intelligence, and offered a steady calm that helped sooth the masses in a world spiraling out of control.
Radio Bilingue, the largest Spanish-language public radio station in the United States, has been operating for 45 years and now faces its greatest challenge. Its current situation reflects the reality of hundreds of rural stations that have lost much of their funding due to the federal government's cuts to the public media system. Many radio and local TV stations are facing imminent closure, but Radio Bilingue is holding on from its headquarters in Fresno.
The letter, a combined effort from the WGA East and West branches, cites the US president's baseless lawsuits against news organizations that have published stories he does not like and leveraged them into payoffs.
Following congressional approval of the public broadcasting budget cuts last week, GBH put up three words on its digital billboard in Brighton - "Local. Trusted. Defunded." - and the message went viral over the weekend.
Michael Isip stated that "it comes with a heavy heart to let you know that this afternoon we completed conversations with those who will be leaving as part of budget reductions." He acknowledged that the cuts are painful but necessary due to financial realities, highlighting threats to federal funding and a fragmented media landscape.
In my 30 years as a Trustee at NYPR, I've had the privilege of watching this organization become more innovative, vital, and essential to our city and audiences.
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins highlighted the significance of federal dollars in public broadcasting, noting that 70% of the funding supports local programming and emergency communications.
As our president sets his sights on defunding PBS and NPR, I'm reminded why, for more than 30 years, I've shared thoughtful programming (produced on my own dime) with public television and radio stations.
