Public broadcasting funding cuts could impact Baton Rouge's WRKF

Yahoo

25-03-2025

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Federal funding cuts threaten to impact public broadcasting nationwide, including Baton Rouge's WRKF, a non-commercial public FM radio station that has served the community for more than 40 years.
General Manager Paul Maassen said WRKF receives approximately 8% of its budget—around $150,000 annually—from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This money is primarily allocated to local programming.
'It enables us to hire people. It enables us to buy equipment,' Maassen said.
According to Maassen's March 17 letter to listeners, WRKF's funding primarily comes from donations and local business support. However, CPB funding remains critical for the station's ability to provide 'trusted local and national journalism, cultural programs, and vital emergency alert messaging' to South Louisiana.
Several developments have heightened concerns over the future of public broadcasting:
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the 'No Propaganda Act' last month, which would eliminate federal funding for NPR and PBS. During his speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy accused NPR of having an ideological, 'left-of-center' bias.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr announced an investigation into NPR and PBS underwriting.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) called for a congressional hearing on NPR and PBS funding.
The Department of Defense recently revoked NPR's Pentagon press office access.
'They can go exist on their own if they want to, but I do want to defund them,' Kennedy said.
Maassen emphasized that most of WRKF's programming is locally produced, not directly tied to NPR's national content. However, he noted that eliminating CPB funding would significantly harm local programming, which he described as 'the most expensive thing we produce.'
'We're constantly adjusting how we operate and what we do,' he said.
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While some lawmakers claim NPR promotes a particular agenda, media bias charts from Ad Fontes Media and AllSides offer a more nuanced perspective:
Ad Fontes Media's Bias Chart rates NPR's website in the 'Middle' category of bias, with its content considered 'Reliable, Analysis/Fact Reporting.'
AllSides Media Bias Company scores NPR's Opinion section as 'Lean Left' but maintains that NPR's news coverage remains mostly unbiased.
Some news earlier this month could be a sigh of relief for public broadcasting in the short term. Congress recently approved a Continuing Resolution that provides $535 million in CPB funding for 2027, according to CPB CEO Patricia Harrison. In a press release, Harrison said the funding will allow CPB to 'continue to prioritize educational content and resources for families, provide essential local reporting and public safety information, and pursue technology advancements that enhance public media's connection with audiences across multiple platforms.'
Maassen said he hopes the funding approval indicates continued federal support for public broadcasting, allowing WRKF to provide quality radio for the next four decades.
'CPB funding is one of those vital tools that helps us be able to do that,' he said.Dear [Listener],
Many listeners have asked how recent efforts to cut federal funding for public radio might affect WRKF.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) distributes most of this funding and helps stations like ours with operations, programming, and infrastructure. While WRKF relies primarily on support from listeners and local businesses, CPB funding—8% of our budget—provides essential backing for the free, trusted local and national journalism, cultural programs, and vital emergency alert messaging that serve South Louisiana.
In recent weeks, several key developments have put federal support for public radio in question:
Sen. John Kennedy proposed a bill to eliminate public radio and TV funding.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr launched an investigation into NPR and PBS underwriting.
The Department of Defense revoked NPR's Pentagon press office access.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called for a congressional hearing on NPR and PBS funding.
These challenges highlight the importance of a strong strong public radio system sustained by both federal and local funding. Your support is essential. Public radio has never been more vital–or more vulnerable.
We'll continue to keep you informed as this situation unfolds. You can learn more about legislative efforts and policy developments that could impact NPR, PBS, and local stations like WRKF at Protect My Public Media.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at [e-mail] or [phone], extension 122.
Thank you for being part of the WRKF community.
Sincerely,
Paul MaassenGeneral Manager, WRKF Public Radio
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