By Tami Graham
It’s official.
On Tuesday, the White House asked Congress to claw back previously approved federal funding for public media, threatening the existence of KSUT.
While Congress has 45 days to consider the proposal, the House is expected to act swiftly, possibly within days. If lawmakers fail to approve it — or can’t get the votes to pass it — the funding will be restored.
Federal funding makes up 19% of KSUT’s operating budget. Without it, critical and timely emergency alerts, trusted local journalism and storytelling, and enriching cultural programs that reach 250,000 residents across the Four Corners could be eliminated.
Multiple studies, including a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, have concluded that there is no viable substitute for federal funding. If lost, the impact would be devastating. The stakes have never been higher.
In Colorado’s CD3 alone, 10 community-based radio stations would lose critical financial support, including KSUT. Federal funding for public media has enjoyed bipartisan support for the past 48 years! The reason is because of the critical value that public media provides to communities throughout the United States, and especially in rural states.
Our partner, Protect My Public Media, is mobilizing public media supporters to safeguard public media’s future. It will take every supporter speaking up to protect the funding — only about $1.60 per person each year — that ensures public media remains available to everyone. With the House potentially acting very soon, calling Congress now is more important than ever.
Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to make your voice heard before it’s too late.
Thank you!
Tami Graham is Executive Director for KSUT Radio.