Photo Credit: University of Houston

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is closing after the Trump administration eliminated its funding. This impacts funding for 1,500 local public radio and television stations as well as PBS and NPR nationally. Locally, two institutions of higher learning in Houston Southeast are being affected by this policy shift. But they aren’t throwing in the towel just yet.

Houston Public Media provides more than 2 million people in Greater Houston with free news and entertainment content via multiple media platforms: broadcast channels, podcasts, social media platforms, website, mobile app, and streaming. Their CPB funding amounts to $2.2 million annually, nearly ten percent of their budget. Almost immediately after the cuts were announced, the University of Houston’s Houston Public Media announced a major fundraising effort. Called the Resiliency Fund, the goal is to raise at least $4.4 million to secure the station for two years.

Joshua B. Adams, general manager and Associate Vice President | Photo Credit: TSU (Erenst Walker)

“We are calling on everyone who values fact-based journalism, educational programming, emergency alert systems, and content that reflects and informs our local communities to support the Houston Public Media Resiliency Fund,” said Joshua B. Adams, general manager and Associate Vice President, in his statement. In just one week, the fund raised $1 million. You can check the current amount raised here.

Besides broadcasting PBS and NPR content, Houston Public Media offers local news and information programs, educational resources, information for emergency personnel and first responders during emergencies, as well as Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, and Clear Alerts for 19 counties in its viewing/listening area.

And if you’re a jazz, blues, or gospel fan, you might also want to donate to Texas Southern University’s KTSU 90.9, The Choice, and its sister channel, The Vibe, Houston’s source for Urban Alternative music. General Manager Ernest Walker says the federal cuts amount to 20 to 25 percent of their operating budget. KTSU is one of 14 HBCU-run stations nationally that will lose CPB funds.

“I think that a station that has been serving the community for 53 years, people will, hopefully, support us,” he says. “We are here to serve the underserved community. We support a lot of local artists and public affairs shows that focus on things other news programs don’t. And we do about 115 community events every year, including free concerts that will be affected.” Their fundraiser, Keep the Mic On,” is less ambitious but no less important. The $203,000 the station received from the CPB last year was a big chunk of its $2 million budget. You can donate online or by texting 713.313.4354.

– by Marene Gustin

credit photos to:

UH

TSU (Erenst Walker)