Public media faces crisis as funding cuts push Corporation for Public Broadcasting to shut down

In July 2020, significant funding cuts from Congress and President Donald Trump led to the defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This organization has been crucial in providing federal funds to public media stations across the United States. After nearly 60 years of operation, the CPB's shutdown is scheduled for September 30, 2020. The ramifications of losing these funds are profound, particularly concerning the resilience of the nation’s emergency alert systems. Public media stations, heavily reliant on CPB for operational support during emergencies, are now uncertain about their capability to deliver vital alerts. Local radio stations, in particular, have highlighted the critical role they play in disseminating emergency information to vulnerable communities. KSUT-FM in Ignacio, Colorado, for example, serves a diverse population across multiple states and is essential for reaching those who may not have reliable cell service during crises. With wildfires and floods being common threats in the region, the absence of necessary funding for equipment upgrades has left these stations in a precarious situation where they struggle to maintain broadcasting capabilities during power outages. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also manages grant programs for emergency alert systems, but reduced resources at FEMA have compounded the challenges faced by local broadcasters. American public media stations had planned on utilizing funds from FEMA to improve their alert systems, such as installing generators and solar panels. However, with the CPB's funding disappearing and unclear communication about future reimbursements, many stations face operational uncertainties during disasters. ProPublica's report indicates a troubling trend, where local officials have failed to use available federal systems to alert residents during disasters. At least 15 major disasters since 2016 have highlighted this issue, where timely alerts could have substantially mitigated harm. Many local emergency managers cite insufficient training and a lack of resources to appropriately utilize alert systems, resulting in preventable tragedies. The inconsistent use of the alert systems could put lives at risk during critical emergency situations, and as funding for public media diminishes, the situation appears increasingly dire for both media outlets and the communities they serve.