Local NPR Station Managers Discuss Possible Funding Cuts
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
On Thursday, a House of Representatives bill was passed that would effectively end funding for National Public Radio.
The measure passed 228 to 192, but according to several media outlets is unlikely to pass in the Senate.
The bill would cut federal funding to NPR and also prohibit member stations from using federal grant money to pay for programming or NPR dues.
Kosciusko County doesn't have its own NPR station but is in the listening area of two others.
WVPE 88.1 is out of Elkhart. According to NPR's website, it provides the strongest signal to Kosciusko County.
Anthony Hunt, station manager for WVPE, said that a signal expansion in spring 2009 was designed to aid areas like Kosciusko County that were considered areas without a market.
Hunt said Kosciusko County has been an area where his station has sought to expand its presence, but with an already slimmer budget, the day-to-day operations of getting programming on the air has become the primary goal.
"We took a significant hit, not in membership, but in business support," said Hunt of recent years.
The station cut staff and is now down to six full-time employees and about the same number in part-timers.
"When I started here we had 11 full-time people," said Hunt.
Hunt said his station currently gets about $120,000 in federal money each year. That accounts for about 12 percent of the station's budget.
The rest comes from individual and business members.
Hunt said an upcoming station drive has a goal of $120,000.
If funding is cut, Hunt said they would have to look at more pledge drives.
WVPE's license is owned by Elkhart Community Schools, though they receive no funding from the school corporation. They do receive office space and the building from which the station broadcasts.
Hunt said that if anything, losing funding could provide a "teachable moment".
"A dollar and 50 cents per person goes to support public radio and television," said Hunt. "Those people who are committed to (NPR) will have to help."
Will Murphy is the general manager for WBOI out of Fort Wayne.
Murphy said his impression was that the house bill wouldn't pass the senate.
The Fort Wayne station receives about $108,000 in federal funding each year.
Murphy said he felt like things for his station were picking up.
Murphy said he has received calls from listeners who were nervous about the legislation and how it may affect programming.
Hunt said he has received similar calls, but also prank calls, as well as harassing ones.
NPR has made some news of its own lately starting with the firing of political commentator Juan Williams.
Recently, NPR came under fire for comments made by former fundraiser Ron Schiller. Former NPR CEO Vivian Schiller also recently resigned.
Hunt said that while NPR has made news of its own recently, he felt it was important for people to see the great reporting done by NPR, especially in the Middle East.
"The people who support what we do have been shaking their head," said Hunt. "Those who don't have been wagging their fingers. But it's the middle group we've always tried to appeal to."
More information on WVPE can be found at www.wvpe.org while more information on WBOI can be found at www.nipr.fm
Murphy also directed anyone with questions or interest in donating to e-mail him at wmurphy@nipr.fm
