The GOP House cuts to public radio programming, will hurt rural Kentuckians | Opinion

On June 13 the House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation (in a 214 to 212 vote) to eliminate the next two years of federal funding for public media outlets. It responded to requests from the Trump Administration which has accused public broadcasting of bias against conservative positions.

The measure would cancel $1.1 billion previously approved to bolster operations for two years for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which includes the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio and their member stations across the country. By law, the money was approved in advance to insulate public media from political influence by both legislative chambers and signed into law by Pres. Trump earlier this year.

While this abrupt slashing would have a detrimental impact on all public media outlets in Kentucky, it may most severely impact WEKU-FM, which has been operating out of Eastern Kentucky University since 1968. (And joined NPR when the national network was founded in 1971.) Federal funding makes up a critical portion of annual budgets for public media outlets, particularly those in rural areas.

Many people may assume that WEKU only serves the university and the geographical area surrounding Richmond. However, it has in recent years extended its broadcast to nine satellite FM transmitters. Together they disseminate the signal to more than 1.5 million residents throughout the eastern half of the state. Loss of federal funding will likely curtail the station’s scope of operations.

All of Kentucky’s public broadcasting stations play a vital role in providing accessible, unbiased news and educational content. But WEKU is unique in focusing its signal to Kentucky’s Appalachian region via transmitters as far south as Middlesboro, as far east as Pikeville and as far north as Maysville.

WEKU’s programming is likewise tailored to a regional audience, including comprehensive coverage of issues vital to Kentuckians. For example:

▪ Eastern Standard, a weekly radio magazine hosted by veteran broadcaster Tom Martin, which explores and investigates trends and events that impact lives in central and Eastern Kentucky;

▪ Off the Beaten Path with Sam Dick, which tells stories about people and places in the Commonwealth;

▪ Rise, a series of conversations that focus on the present, and prospects for the future, of Eastern Kentucky (and which has also provided a platform for the voices of those affected by natural disasters in the region);

▪ and Kentucky Arts and Culture with WEKU-generated stories about Kentucky’s rich arts heritage.

WEKU-FM amplifies diverse voices and ensures that essential information reaches all demographics, including underserved populations in the eastern half of the state.

The White House’s official transmission of the rescission package on June 3 gave Congress 45 days to act. In the Senate rescission bills are not subject to the 60-vote threshold needed to advance most legislation and only require a simple majority.

The Senate has until July 18 to approve the bill for it to take effect. Kentuckians who oppose the reduction need to make their sentiments known immediately by contacting Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul. The senators’ websites provide contact procedures. The clock is ticking, so act now.

Listeners and concerned citizens can also contribute to WEKU’s campaign to recruit additional supporters to donate to the station to offset the damage resulting from the potential loss of federal support. (You can find various means of contributing to the station on the WEKU-FM website.)

John Shotwell is a retired USMC colonel who earned a PhD. from UK’s College of Communication and Information.