TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — In July, Congress rescinded 1.1 billion dollars in previously-approved funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in a close vote.
The CBP provides funding to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), and the rescission will end federal support to both programs. Although NPR itself only relies on government funding for a small portion of its budget, its over 1,000 member station, including Troy Public Radio (TPR), depend on federal aid for a larger part of their operating revenue.
“$240,000 is typically what we get, and that’s for two years,” said Kyle Gassiott, Director of Troy Public Radio. “$120,000 per year, which is about one fifth of our revenue, but we are luckier than most stations that we have enough support from our listeners and the support that we get from the university.”
Despite the cuts to federal funding, Gassiott said there will not be any immediate changes to TPR.
“Because we have the majority of out support from our listeners, we were able to preserve our current schedule.”
However, not all programs are as fortunate as Troy Public Radio, with many stations across the country already feeling the impact.
“Penn State gave up their station,” Gassiott told TrojanVision. “There are a number of stations in rural areas in particular and a number of stations that serve Native American populations. For a number of stations, the CBP was about 50-60 percent of their revenue. That really puts them into a precarious place.”
To address the issues, NPR has taken action to reduce financial strain on its member stations, giving an emergency rescission discount on program fees, with TPR receiving a $52,000 discount for the upcoming year. NPR is also looking to make changes to the fee model itself, as well as how the funding system is set up. NPR member stations, especially those that are struggling financially, can also apply for a public bridge fund for additional funding.
MORE FROM TROJANVISION: Learn why ACLU says Alabama’s marriage equality faces new threat
“I think there will be some changes, but I don’t think anyone can tell what exactly will be,” Gassiott said. “There are a lot of really intelligent and experienced people behind the system. I feel like everybody’s got a really good eye on it.”
Despite the loss of funding, Troy Public Radio has added multiple new programs, including Sounds of the Stage in partnership with Troy University’s theatre department and the Tropolitan: Above the Fold, where Tropolitan writers read their articles on air.
