CPB is awarding $275,000 to 14 stations in communities with high COVID-19 infection rates or low vaccination rates.
Each station will receive up to $20,000. A majority of the grantees, such as Mississippi Public Broadcasting and Louisiana Public Broadcasting, are in Southern states.
“General managers of stations serving America’s communities that are hard hit by the pandemic are committed to breaking through the cycle of misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and are providing information that is saving lives,” said CPB President Patricia Harrison in a news release. “CPB is committed to funding their work as part of our stewardship and mission.”
In April, CPB gave more than $300,000 to fund coronavirus information campaigns in Black and Native American communities.
Stations receiving the new round of grants will produce public service announcement campaigns about the pandemic and will attempt to reach people through text messages and social media platforms like TikTok.
Boise State Public Radio in Idaho will boost the digital and broadcast reach of its weekly doctor’s roundtable, which answers listener-submitted questions. The station will also partner with an Idaho community organization “to address culturally nuanced questions,” according to the release.
KERA in Dallas will launch a campaign featuring musicians discussing vaccinations. RSU Public TV in Claremore, Okla., will work with local health officials, public schools and Native American and Indigenous leaders to produce PSAs. KOSU in Stillwater, Okla., will translate its COVID-19 content into Spanish and Vietnamese.
CPB’s announcement includes a full list of the grantees and their programs.