Public television and radio in Virginia could soon lose nearly all taxpayer funding, and some local programs — including those supported by the University’s Virginia Foundation for the Humanities — are now at risk.
Both the Senate of Virginia and House of Delegates recently passed their own versions of the state’s budget. While different, both versions significantly reduce funding for public television and radio programs. The legislative bodies have until Feb. 28 to reach a compromise about the issue.
WMRA, a local radio station, expects to lose as much as 10 percent — or $115,000 — of its budget because of the state cuts, General Manager Tom Duval said. He noted that the station will try to make the lost money up by campaigning for listener support.
Duval said public media programs play an important role in educating Virginians about current issues.
“It’s key to our democratic process to have informed rather than opinionated voters,” Duval said, expressing dismay about the funding cuts.
Sheryl Hayes, director of development at the Foundation, agreed that public radio is one of the Foundation’s most important media for popular programming about the humanities.
“If this goes through,” Hayes said, “our partner radio stations might have to cut programs about history, literature and education, and we see this as being negative for the people of Virginia.”
Local shows like “Virginia Insight,” which is WMRA’s call-in talk show, are more likely to get dropped than shows that have the support of a foundation, Duval said.
Assoc. History Prof. Brian Balogh is one of the hosts of “BackStory,” a public radio show from the Foundation. Though Balogh may not be personally affected by the cuts, he still expressed concern.
“I worry about what state cuts will do to the citizens of Virginia,” he said.
Even so, he also said he understands that in rough financial times, the commonwealth’s leaders must decide where taxpayer money could be best utilized.
Del. Steve Landes, R-Albermarle, who voted in favor of the recently passed Senate budget, said that with the current economic depression, “a tight budget means setting priorities.”
Landes said he is a listener and supporter of public radio, but added that education, health and safety initiatives are of greater priority than public media entities. The money gained by reducing support for public radio and television stations primarily would go to restorative funds for economic development, he said.
The General Assembly is currently debating its budget plans and must reach a final decision before it adjourns Feb. 28.
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