Current (https://current.org/tag/federal-funding/)
“The ways we embrace change and respond to the unknown will define us,” writes Patricia “Patty” Cahill, former CPB director and retired GM of KCUR.
CPB estimates that total losses to the public media system due to the pandemic could approach $400 million.
The corporation, which had sought $50 million in increased appropriations, got a $10 million bump.
“With a larger subsidy, public media could play a bigger role in addressing the structural problems with the U.S. media system.”
Increased funding could support remote-learning services amid the pandemic, argued APTS CEO Pat Butler.
If CPB receives the funds, it would bring its emergency support from the government to $250 million.
The legislation would provide funds to stations for workforce development through the Department of Education.
CPB has asked the Department of Homeland Security to set aside funds for public broadcasting emergency communications.
When racist radio host Rush Limbaugh gets a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a standing ovation in Congress, Current’s executive director is worried that this year’s lobbying effort may not be enough to save federal funding for public broadcasting.