Quad Cities-based WQPT and WVIK have joined public television and radio stations across the country in asking Congress to reject President Trump’s efforts to slash $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. CPB supports 1,500 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations across the country including WQPT, the Western Illinois University Quad Cities Riverfront […]
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Click here to purchase a paywall bypass linkQuad Cities-based WQPT and WVIK have joined public television and radio stations across the country in asking Congress to reject President Trump’s efforts to slash $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
CPB supports 1,500 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations across the country including WQPT, the Western Illinois University Quad Cities Riverfront campus-based station that serves Western Illinois, and Augustana College-based WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, which serves eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois. Both are asking Quad Citians to join the emergency campaign to reject the cuts and protect independent media outlets.
“Public media is facing the greatest threat in its history — a challenge that could dramatically impact WVIK and the services you rely on every day,” General Manager Jared W. Johnson warned in a recent message to WVIK supporters.
WIU President Kristi Mindrup said in a news release last week “Public broadcasting enhances our university mission and the communities we serve. We stand in strong support of WQPT and urge Congress to reject the rescission of federal funding for public broadcasting.”
The nationwide drive to save public media funding was launched in May when the administration and GOP leaders began calling for defunding CPB.
Then, on Tuesday, June 3, President Trump formally asked Congress to rescind the money federal lawmakers already had OK’d through the appropriation’s process for public broadcasters over the next two years. The administration and congressional opponents argue that federal spending on CPB subsidizes a public media system that is politically biased and is an unnecessary expense to the nation’s taxpayers.
“Although federal funding cuts are not yet approved by Congress, the request from the administration signals a significant escalation in efforts to defund public media,” WQPT General Manager Dawn Schmitt said in the WQPT news release.
“This is a credible threat to our work, jeopardizing essential services that inform and unite Americans. For decades, stations like WQPT have been trusted sources of reporting, civil discourse, and lifelong learning.”
She said public media plays a vital role in the daily lives of people in this region. “Our programming supports classrooms, brings trusted information into your home, and offers a place where local voices and stories can be heard.”
Public media is especially essential to rural areas where they often are a lifeline for residents in times of challenge and disaster and sometimes the only source of news, information and programming available. It’s also important to maintain PBS at a time when independent media outlets including newspapers continue to disappear each day, supporters say.
That’s another reason why local public media leaders say Quad Cities should join the emergency campaign to help safeguard the services they say the local community depends on.
“We’re still here, still broadcasting, and more dedicated than ever to our mission of public service. But we truly need community support,” WQPT said.
CPB supports 1,500 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations across the country including WQPT, the Western Illinois University Quad Cities Riverfront campus-based station that serves Western Illinois, and Augustana College-based WVIK, Quad Cities NPR, which serves eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois. Both are asking Quad Citians to join the emergency campaign to reject the cuts and protect independent media outlets.
“Public media is facing the greatest threat in its history — a challenge that could dramatically impact WVIK and the services you rely on every day,” General Manager Jared W. Johnson warned in a recent message to WVIK supporters.
WIU President Kristi Mindrup said in a news release last week “Public broadcasting enhances our university mission and the communities we serve. We stand in strong support of WQPT and urge Congress to reject the rescission of federal funding for public broadcasting.”
The nationwide drive to save public media funding was launched in May when the administration and GOP leaders began calling for defunding CPB.
Then, on Tuesday, June 3, President Trump formally asked Congress to rescind the money federal lawmakers already had OK’d through the appropriation’s process for public broadcasters over the next two years. The administration and congressional opponents argue that federal spending on CPB subsidizes a public media system that is politically biased and is an unnecessary expense to the nation’s taxpayers.
Congress has 45 days
To rescind the funds, Congress needs only a simple majority in each chamber to vote yes within 45 days after the president’s rescission request was presented. Efforts to cut CPB funding are not new. Multiple campaigns have been launched including during President Trump’s first administration. Public campaigns have so far helped protect government support of public media but the current political climate is raising new concerns.
“Although federal funding cuts are not yet approved by Congress, the request from the administration signals a significant escalation in efforts to defund public media,” WQPT General Manager Dawn Schmitt said in the WQPT news release.
“This is a credible threat to our work, jeopardizing essential services that inform and unite Americans. For decades, stations like WQPT have been trusted sources of reporting, civil discourse, and lifelong learning.”
She said public media plays a vital role in the daily lives of people in this region. “Our programming supports classrooms, brings trusted information into your home, and offers a place where local voices and stories can be heard.”
Public media is especially essential to rural areas where they often are a lifeline for residents in times of challenge and disaster and sometimes the only source of news, information and programming available. It’s also important to maintain PBS at a time when independent media outlets including newspapers continue to disappear each day, supporters say.
That’s another reason why local public media leaders say Quad Cities should join the emergency campaign to help safeguard the services they say the local community depends on.
“We’re still here, still broadcasting, and more dedicated than ever to our mission of public service. But we truly need community support,” WQPT said.
To find out more
To find out how to help, station leaders directed support to ProtectMyPublicMedia.org. Other organizations also joining the fray include Common Cause. “Attacks on PBS are attempts to silence independent media,” the organization said. “We must protect free, fact-based journalism and ensure access to trusted programming for all Americans.” Locally, Mr. John said, “For 45 years, WVIK has proudly served the over half a million people living in the Quad Cities, Dubuque and surrounding regions.” The station offers ”community-based programming and services that can’t be found elsewhere: and now “all of these essential services are being put at risk.” Among them are:- Local news and information from people locals know who live in the bi-state community.
- Local cultural programming such as Saturday Morning Live and Heartland Politics.
- Classical music, jazz featuring popular hosts.
- Rebroadcast of local concerts from the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, NOVA Singers, and more.
- APRIS reading service for the visually impaired and all those unable to read local newspapers and magazines on their own.
- Local podcasts including Good Morning from WVIK, LOVE Girls: The Podcast (with Her Voice Media), A Real Piece of Work (with Junior Achievement of the Heartland), Talking Art (with Quad City Arts), Riverway Stories (with River Action), Footlights, and What’s Happenin’ QC.
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