Last night, President Trump issued an executive order to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) attempting to end 58 years of federal support for NPR and PBS, while also restricting how local stations like KNKX indirectly support our network partners.
This executive order interferes with the mission and independence of KNKX. This move is an escalation of the attack on public media, but it might not be the end.
What does this mean for KNKX?
In addition to this executive order, it's been reported that the White House will ask Congress to rescind previously authorized federal funding to the CPB. For KNKX, that represents nearly $600,000 a year. If eliminated, we will face a shortfall that would force us to make difficult decisions about our service levels. We also rely on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for essential elements of our service, such as covering our music licensing fees. These resources are at risk as well.
KNKX is dedicated to serving all of Western Washington. Whether you live in a rural, suburban, or urban community, everyone benefits from free access to trusted journalism and cultural programming without influence from commercial, university or government interests.
This is a critical moment in the history of public media, and we need your help.
If you are in a position to support KNKX financially, an ongoing, monthly gift right now is the best way to do so.
We know you are feeling the same uncertainty we are, so I don’t make this request lightly. But, simply put, the risk to public media has never been higher. This executive order happens to have been released during Public Media Giving Days, demonstrating exactly why listener support is so crucial to KNKX.
Thank you for your dedication to KNKX, our vital mission, and public media, in general, during these turbulent times.
Sincerely,
David Fischer
President & General Manager
KNKX Public Radio
