One Year After Federal Cuts to Public Broadcasting
- Wanjiru Waweru
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Wanjiru Waweru, Jadetimes Contributor
W. Waweru is a Jadetimes News Reporter Covering America News
Worcester, Massachusetts — It has been nearly one year since the announcement of canceling about $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and almost $8 billion for a wide range of television.
“The loss of federal funding came a year ago," Melanie LeBoeuf said. "And, for us, our membership, our listeners really stepped up.”
LeBoeuf expresses concern about the federal cuts to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which sometimes continue for WICN; however, the community rallied behind Worcester’s NPR station.
“It's been really great," said LeBoeuf. "It's been a good year, but I think this is when we're going to see the challenge. With the cut of 18% of our budget, $100,000, I think this is going to be the year that we really learn a lot about where our new norm is.”
WICN raised funds for both contributors and Listeners in the past; recently, LeBoeuf said the goal for the radio station is to keep the level of helping and learn from it.
“Leaning on the community, not just our memberships," said LeBoeuf, "but as our partners of the arts and culture world is important to us.”
“It's been rewarding to see that sense of community," said Gary Bohan, "really rise to the occasion.”
Volunteer host Gary Bohan expressed that he takes his role in the WICN community and repeats the federal cuts to have the inspiration to give the benefit of the doubt.
“I mean, as a volunteer host, when I got the news, it's, ‘What can I do to help?’," said Bohan. "I know that the feedback and response financially, volunteer response and donations has been extremely positive.”
Still, without about $100,000 a year from the federal government, WICN's strategy is to maintain the community, which has responded to their calls.
“I just want to thank their community," said LeBoeuf. "Our listeners, our supporters of foundations, the community foundations that stepped up this year to make sure that we're staying strong.”
LeBoeuf said that it has been difficult to add federal funding once it was defunded; however, they would always maintain faith.
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