It’s been a year since Congress cut off federal funding for public media. How are things going?

One year ago, Congress eliminated federal funding for public media—cutting one point one billion dollars. The anticipated crisis never fully materialized—instead, listeners stepped up with unprecedented donations. As Nieman Lab reports, member contributions at some stations spiked by forty percent. But there's a risk: these crisis-fueled giving surges typically fade when the next emergency hits. What's encouraging, though, is how stations are adapting. Despite five hundred fifty public media jobs lost in the first year, they're collaborating more than ever—merging operations, sharing resources, transferring licenses. Penn State handed its station to Philadelphia's WHYY, Missouri universities converted their stations to community boards, and networks nationwide are forging partnerships. The real test: whether grassroots support can sustain that momentum long-term.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton