30 Ways in 30 Days: Public Broadcasting

Staff Cuts Follow Proposed Elimination of Public Television Funding

The Erie Times-News reports that proposed budget cuts have resulted in the elimination of five jobs at WQLN. Statewide, $8 million for public broadcasting would be cut.
 
HARRISBURG (June 21, 2009) - Erie's public television and radio network had to lay off its program director, engineering director and three other staffers last week to deal with an expected $800,000 reduction in funding in the new fiscal year, according to a report in the Erie Times-News.
 
The cut is part of an $8 million funding reduction for public broadcasting statewide included in Governor Ed Rendell's proposed budget and a version adopted by the state Senate last month.
 
The Times-News noted that the funding cut for WQLN in Erie represents 25% of the station's operating income. In addition to terminating the five positions, the station also had to cut pay for top staffers and impose two weeks of unpaid leave on other employees, as well as end the airing of a nationally-broadcast business radio news program. Read the full Erie Times-News story here.

WVIA Public Broadcasting in Northeastern Pennsylvania is facing similarly difficult decisions, as it decides how to cope with a potential loss of $860,000 in funding, the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports. Its CEO said staff and programming cutbacks could also be in the cards. Read the full Times Leader story here.

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