FORT PIERCE — Listeners to WQCS-FM, the Treasure Coast’s National Public Radio member station, may be losing some of their favorite programs.
Indian River State College — which owns WQCS-FM and stations WQCP, WQJS and WQCO — is bracing for a loss of about $250,000 in federal and state funding, according to a July 21 statement from Chris Puorro, IRSC Public Media associate vice president and general manager.
It’s about 14% of the station’s revenue last year.
“To be clear, this does not mean that WQCS is going to ‘shut down’ or ‘go away’,” Puorro said in the statement. “In the spirit of public media, we will not sensationalize or exaggerate our loss.
“What it does mean is that we will have tough decisions in the coming weeks about what programs to keep, what coverage might have to be scaled back and how we can save additional funds.”
The statement did not address any potential reductions in staff.
Puorro did not respond to requests for comment made by phone and email.
Trump, DeSantis lead effort to defund public media
President Donald Trump has spearheaded efforts to defund public media.
Trump signed an executive order May 1 to end the “taxpayer subsidization of biased media,” which was followed by a White House news release accusing NPR of fueling “left-wing propaganda.”
“The media landscape is filled with abundant, diverse and innovative news options, making government funding of news media outdated, unnecessary and corrosive to journalistic independence,” the news release stated.
The Senate and House of Representatives voted this month voted to rescind $1.1 billion of previously allocated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a publicly funded nonprofit corporation that is the largest single source of financial support for public radio and television.
If Trump signs the bill, it would represent the loss of two years federal funding for public media outlets.
Trump had threatened Republican members of Congress to support the rescission bill or face electoral consequences.
“Any Republican that votes to allow this monstrosity to continue broadcasting will not have my support or endorsement,” Trump said on Truth Social July 10.
“Done in Florida,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Facebook July 11, with Trump’s screenshotted Truth Social post attached.
DeSantis vetoed funding for public media on June 30, which struck $1.3 million for public radio stations and about $4.4 million for public television stations from Florida’s $115 billion budget.
‘We need your help now more than we ever have’
Following the recission bill’s passage, NPR CEO Katherine Maher issued a statement calling the $1.1 billion cut to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting an “irreversible loss” to the public radio system.
“Public funding has enabled the flourishing of a uniquely American system of unparalleled cultural, informational and educational programming, and ensured access to vital emergency alerting and reporting in times of crisis — all for about $1.60 per American, every year,” she said.
WQCS has been operating at a slight deficit since 2021. Funding cuts for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will only increase that shortfall.
In his statement, Puorro issued a call for financial support tied to the loss of government funding.
“We need your help now more than we ever have needed it in our 43 years,” he said. “With your support, we can keep everything you love about WQCS, and continue to grow across the region.”
Puorro appealed for listeners to donate by calling 772-462-7813 or by visiting the WQCS website.
Jack Randall is TCPalm’s economy and real estate reporter. You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com or 904-466-4755.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: WQCS takes $250,000 hit from federal, state cuts; eyes ‘tough decisions’ on programming
Reporting by Jack Randall, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
