KAWC speaks on NPR funding cuts
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Local radio station KAWC is located on the Arizona Western College Campus and is just one of the many public radio stations that will be affected by the defunding of The Corporation of Public Broadcast (CPB).
Dave Riek, the General Manger of KAWC, “We’re planning not to have about a fifth of our budget, $200,000 this year, in this most recent budget. So that’s about 20%.”
KAWC says they are working with networks they partner with to receive discounts, and they have unfortunately laid off some of their part-time staff.
Despite these budget cuts, the station says they will stay on the air and they are holding onto hope.
“We have been told by several of the Congress people who actually voted in our favor on that measure, that they will propose more funding for CPB going forward, but it won’t be on a two year stager, specifically for this year. So we’re still hoping this will get reversed,” says Riek.
Students on campus also shared their opinions on the defunding of public media.
Gerardo Soto says, “I would assume some people are about to loose their jobs, and there might not be as much opportunity for more people to get into it.”
While others find the defunding to be very tragic news for public media all around.
“Honestly, I am kind of disheartened with that whole radio station being cut, just due to people having jobs here at the campus and removing that availability for those people to be able to pay for services is just never a good thing,” says David Hilpert, a student.
KAWC plans on bringing in more community support, like fundraising, during these difficult financial times.