What it means for WITF & local journalism if Congress kills public media funding

Why Federal Funding Matters for WITF

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• Approximately 11% of WITF’s budgeted revenue comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)
• CPB funding allows WITF to pool resources towards satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, music licensing and development of educational programs
• Loss of federal funding would negatively impact the ability of WITF to serve the public

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is an independent nonprofit organization created by Congress in 1967 to ensure universal access to high-quality, commercial-free content and telecommunications services. The CPB distributes federal funds to local stations, allowing them to program according to each community’s needs. For WITF, a locally managed public radio station in Harrisburg, CPB funding is essential to its operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What just happened?
2. How can I help?
3. How much CPB funding does WITF receive?
4. What will happen if WITF loses federal funding?
5. Why is public broadcasting needed?
6. How does the CPB’s role in public broadcasting work?
7. What would happen if federal funding is eliminated?

Protecting Public Media Funding

WITF has partnered with the “Protect My Public Media” campaign to make it easy for listeners to tell their representatives in Congress that they oppose ending funding for South Central Pennsylvania’s public radio station. Here are some ways you can help:
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• Send a message to your members of Congress expressing opposition to the rescission proposal
• Make a financial contribution to WITF to support its operations
• Join WITF and increase your current support for local community journalism

By taking these steps, you can help protect public media funding and ensure that WITF can continue to provide high-quality content to the community.

The Importance of Local Community Support

Local community support is WITF’s largest and most stable source of funding. Despite the uncertainty surrounding federal funding, it’s essential to continue supporting WITF through donations, sponsorships, and other forms of local support.

A Look at the Numbers

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The financial impact of losing federal funding on WITF and other public media stations cannot be overstated. A reduction in local support would have significant consequences for the station’s ability to provide programming and services to the community.

Conclusion

The future of public media funding is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the support of local communities is essential to the continued operation of public radio stations like WITF. By continuing to support WITF through donations, sponsorships, and other forms of local support, we can ensure that the station continues to provide high-quality content to the community. Your voice matters, and we urge you to take action today to protect public media funding.