SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski has reiterated her support for public broadcasting amid proposals to cut funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). In an opinion piece published in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Murkowski highlighted the value of public broadcasting in Alaska and pledged to defend CPB funding through her role on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Murkowski emphasized, "The fact is, we get these essential services at a comparatively small cost. Alaska’s local stations received $12 million from CPB last year, accounting for anywhere from 30-70 percent of their overall budgets." She noted that although stations receive individual donations and sponsorships, federal funding remains crucial.

She warned that losing federal support would severely impact local programming and emergency alert systems. "Not only would a large portion of Alaska communities lose their local programming, but warning systems for natural disasters, power outages, boil water advisories, and other alerts would be severely hampered," she stated.

President Trump's budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 aims to eliminate CPB funding. However, Murkowski argues against this move despite agreeing with reducing government spending elsewhere. She expressed appreciation for public broadcasting's role in keeping Alaskans informed and connected.

Local stations like KBRW on the North Slope provide vital communications where infrastructure is lacking. KYUK offers updates during rapid ice breakups in YK-Delta. In Kodiak, KMXT addresses mental health concerns through its radio show “Talk of the Rock.” KUCB provides weather reports crucial to Unalaska’s fishermen in the Aleutians. KRBD delivered updates following a landslide near Ketchikan.

Murkowski underscored that most CPB funds support local stations rather than national organizations like PBS and NPR and do not significantly impact federal spending.

"The President has made his views about CPB clear," she wrote, "but the final decision rests with Congress." As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee representing Alaska's interests, Murkowski affirmed her commitment to preserving access to essential public broadcasting services.

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