Congress will soon make a decision that could forever change the media landscape in our nation and in Central Florida. It will decide on a proposal that would take back over a billion dollars previously set aside to support public media for the next two years. Most of that funding is earmarked for local organizations like the one I’m honored to lead.
The timing could not be worse. Last week Gov. Ron DeSantis used his line item veto to eliminate state funding for Central Florida Public Media and local public media outlets across Florida, starting immediately.
Public media funding accounts for just 0.01 percent of all federal spending— about $1.60 per U.S. taxpayer. Cutting those funds wouldn’t put much of a dent in the federal budget, but it would put a big dent in Central Florida Public Media’s ability to serve nine counties with trustworthy, independent local and national journalism on radio and digital platforms. It would hurt our ability to bring people together through engaging events and to broadcast lifesaving emergency information during hurricanes and other crises.
Central Florida Public Media faces the potential loss of $300,000 each year in federal funds if this proposal goes through. But this is not about us. It’s about the thousands of people who rely on the critical local service we provide.
I think about people like Ann-Marie, who was homeless for three years, living in her 1998 sedan. Central Florida Public Media was her information source and trusted companion during those years, as she listened to 90.7 FM on her car radio. When she got back on her feet, she donated her old car - her former shelter - to Central Florida Public Media because we had been there for her in her darkest hour.
It’s stories like this that encourage us to keep championing Central Florida. Communities with strong local news are known to have more civic participation, less partisan division, and less corruption. Central Florida Public Media is dedicated to ensuring our region always has a freely accessible source of trustworthy local news that empowers and connects our community.
Public media belongs to all of us, and right now, its future is in our community’s hands.
You can make a real difference. Tell Congress why public media matters to you and why it’s worth protecting and continue our local public service, come what may.
Much is at stake in this moment—and we are stronger together.
Judith Smelser is the president and general manager of Central Florida Public Media, formerly known by its radio call letters WMFE.
