Chris Kresge “Chris K” on Facebook: AS many of you know, I have been a part of public media for most of my nearly 50 years in broadcasting. I am on several community stations that, until last summer, got a substantial percentage of their annual operating funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). On March 31, a federal judge blocked the executive order that directed federal agencies to withhold funds from these stations.
However, the ruling did not reinstate the $1.1 billion in federal funding for public media that Congress rescinded last summer, and the CPB was effectively dismantled. A future Congress may reinstate such funding, but that’s a long shot and I’m not counting on it – WHAT I AM COUNTING ON IS YOUR SUPPORT. That’s how we keep our stations on the air, providing locally sourced news, music and information.
KUNC 91.5fm 105.5 – The Colorado Sound
KAFM Community Radio
KDNK Carbondale Community Access Radio
KRFC 88.9 FM
KFFR 88.3 FM
KLZR 91.7 FM
KOTO Community Radio Telluride
KRZA Community Radio
KSUT Four Corners Area
KVNF Mountain Grown Public Radio
KSJD Radio KBUT Community Radio
Patrick Murray: So, my perception of public broadcasting in general is that it leans left. Why would I support that? Tell me what I’m missing.
Chris to Patrick: localism … what a lot of folks don’t realize is that many, if not most, of these stations have become the place in a city or town where local news and information is presented – NOT POLITCALLY – but rather informationally – A BIG DIFFERENCE … does NPR lean left? Sure – I will concede to that perception. Have some local community stations aired EXPRESSLY LIBERAL programs to the exclusion of more CONSERVATIVE programs? Yes, undoubedly. But where else will you get music stations like KUVO, the Colorado Sound and Indie 102.3? Where else will you get specifically LOCAL news and public affairs other than community stations? THAT’s why we should support it .. YOU don’t have to .. and you probably don’t listen to much of what community based public media has to offer .. and I’m sorry for that, if it’s true. It’s a very valuable resource that many places cannot do without.
Chris: The CPB is gone .. and I doubt it’s returning. NPR and PBS will survive without it. It’s mostly our smaller market stations that will bear the worst of the defunding, unfortunately.