President Trump’s executive order to end funding of PBS could pose a dramatic impact on the Upper Cumberland’s PBS Station.
WCTE CEO/President Avery Hutchins said 40 percent of the station’s $2.5 Million budget comes from the federal government. She said the station has been planning for this executive order for several months.
“We’ve been doing some awareness campaigns around Protect My Public Media,” Hutchins said. “We’re trying to get people to reach out to their congressmen and let them have their voices be heard regarding the defunding of public media.”
Hutchins said the executive order represents the most serious threat to public media in a long time. Hutchins said it is crucial federal lawmakers know what this will do to WCTE.
“I mean, it it not too late, if people make their phone calls, send their emails, just voicing their concern about the loss of funding to WCTE,” Hutchins said. “I mean, there is still a chance that we might be able to secure our funding for the next two years, but we can not do it without their support.”
Hutchins said the lack of revenue will mean the station will not be able to afford to produce as much local shows including “Wish You Were Here,” “It’s Your Business” and “Where Stories Live.” Hutchins said less money means less programming.
“We’re going to lose the PBS Kids content which is so highly necessary for some of our rural communities,” Hutchins said. “Well, for everybody, but especially those families in rural communities that rely on PBS Kids for some of the early learning for their children.”
Hutchins said the station is already looking at ways to make up the potential shortfall. Hutchins said that will call for the station to get very aggressive with its fundraising efforts.
