On July 18, Congress voted to end federal funding for public media. This action, which President Donald Trump signed into law, was the most significant disruption to the system since it was created in 1967. 

For OPB, the cuts eliminated $5 million in annual funding, about nine percent of our budget. 

In the wake of these punishing cuts, we made a special emergency appeal to our members and the public. At a time when we needed help, people from all across our region stepped up.

Thousands of people became OPB members for the very first time. Over 1,300 people joined our Cornerstone Society and President’s Council. Over 81% of those who gave chose to become monthly sustainers—building a foundation of reliable support we’ll need to keep our service strong. 

With support from this incredible community of members, we have less than $1 million to go to close the gap for this year. 

Thank you so much for your leading support of OPB at this critical moment. Together, we can not only make up this gap in funding, but also expand our service to meet the needs of people all across this region. 

Covering More Communities, More Authentically 

This month, I am celebrating my first year leading OPB and KMHD Jazz Radio. The funding disruption brought challenging moments, but I feel optimistic and energized from meeting so many wonderful people in our amazing communities.  

My first trip took me to Sisters and Bend in Central Oregon. I’ve since had wonderful conversations in so many fascinating places, including Newport, Vancouver, Roseburg, Eugene, Corvallis, Grand Ronde, Hood River, Salem, La Grande, Enterprise, Joseph, Prineville and Baker City. 

I’ve learned so much from your insights and generosity. The wisdom of one community member during a listening session in La Grande particularly resonated with me: 

“It takes 100 cups of coffee to build trust.” 

Trust is top of mind as we consider how we can serve all our communities. OPB has extensive broadcast facilities across Eastern Oregon. For decades, we’ve dispatched producers from programs like Oregon Field Guide to cover stories across that area. But historically, we haven’t had much of a rooted reporting presence there. 

At a time when newspapers and other journalism sources are shuttering and contracting, our mission calls us to step up. While we’ve added reporters based in Central Oregon, Southwest Washington (with a second reporting position coming soon), and Pendleton in recent years, there’s much more need. 

We’re working hard to connect more people with stories that enrich their lives, especially in rural areas. We’ll keep sitting down for those cups of coffee—and listening carefully. 

Innovative Partnership Brings Public Records Out of the Shadows 

We continue to hear a clear need to strengthen our regional journalism ecosystem. 

To that end, we recently announced a new partnership with Lewis & Clark Law School: the Public Records and Government Transparency Project. Through the project, we’ll provide free, much-needed legal resources for Oregon journalists and media organizations, helping them access public records from government agencies and elected officials. 

OPB is fortunate to be the only media organization in Oregon with in-house counsel doing public records work. Building on that strength, we want to help our peers bring critical facts to light. 

Your support makes this initiative possible, along with everything else we do at OPB. I believe that together we will create a new, exciting, and enduring future for public media. 

— Rachel Smolkin, President and CEO of Oregon Public Broadcasting

News Source : https://www.opb.org/pressroom/presidents-update-house-passes-unprecedented-public-media-funding-cut-3/