Public Radio Matters
Alaska’s public radio stations provide local news, weather updates, emergency alerts, and information about state and local government. In many communities, public radio is the only consistent source of local information. These stations serve large geographic areas, often reaching communities that lack newspapers or reliable broadband access. During severe weather, natural disasters, and other emergencies, public radio is a key source of timely information for residents.
The 907 Initiative has launched a public awareness campaign to keep Alaskans informed about the ways that decisions made in Washington are affecting the lives and livelihoods of Alaskans. In recent months, the federal government has cut the funding that local public radio stations in our state rely on to serve their communities, reducing access to news, information, and emergency alerts. These changes affect listeners statewide and across rural areas. Every Alaskan should understand how policy decisions in DC are impacting our lives here at home.
The Impact of Federal Cuts
“The U.S. Senate has approved a request from the Trump administration to rescind billions of dollars in previously adopted federal funding, including tens of millions of dollars meant for Alaska’s 27 public radio stations. It was after 2 a.m. Thursday in Washington, D.C., when the senators cast their final votes on the measure, with Alaska’s Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan split on the matter. The Senate vote came just a few hours after a tsunami warning impacting southwestern Alaska was transmitted over the airwaves by public radio stations in Kodiak, Unalaska and Sand Point.
Managers of those radio stations have warned that the loss of federal funding could mean significant cuts in station operations, including to emergency broadcasts related to natural hazards like tsunamis. Alaska was set to receive roughly $30 million over the course of two years from the funding targeted in the rescissions package.
Among Alaska’s 27 public radio stations, 11 receive more than half their budget from the federal Corporation for Public Broadcasting.”
What You Can Do
Stay informed and engaged. Visit our website regularly for updates on how these changes are affecting Alaskans. We encourage you to explore our resources, share your experiences, and join us in advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of our community.
The bipartisan coalitions in Alaska’s state legislature have stood strong, asking our federal representatives to protect public radio, but the actual decision-making power lives in DC, not Juneau. Add your voice to theirs by signing the petition below.
Sign the petition: Tell our leaders to protect public radio
Together, we can work towards solutions that ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Alaskans.