Due to the recent loss of $1.1 million in annual government funding, voluntary buyouts are being given to employees of the joint entity that runs Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio.
This is a big and hurtful cut, and it’s not just happening in Rhode Island; it’s changing public media outlets all around the nation. The joint public media organization’s president and CEO, Pam Johnston, sent out an email on Wednesday after meeting with staff members in the afternoon.
Enrollment in the buyout is due on September 5. Layoffs might be required if there is insufficient participation, according to Johnston.
As we navigate the challenges of our merger, we have carefully examined our budget and cut costs wherever possible in response to the government’s defunding, Johnston said. Additionally, we have sponsored two of our most successful pledge drives ever and have received an overwhelming amount of support from our community. The financial gap cannot be closed despite these efforts.
Last year, Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio amalgamated. This fall, the combined public media outlets will change their names to Ocean State Media.
A comparatively small but noteworthy portion of the financing for Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio came from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s lost money. Listeners and groups in their service region provide the majority of the organizations’ funding.
In an interview, Johnston stated that although this change and the absence of finance will alter us, they won’t stop us. We remain steadfast in our dedication to our community.
When asked if Rhode Island’s public media would experience a large personnel reduction as a result of spending cuts, Johnston responded, “It’s difficult to say when it comes to numbers, how many people.” However, we must function within the constraints of our budget, just like any other company.
According to Johnston, it’s uncertain whether the lost funds would be restored under a new White House administration.
More than $90 million was donated to Rhode Island PBS’s investment account following its 2017 auction of the electromagnetic spectrum under its control.
Johnston responded, “The investment fund is an endowment and that money, governed by our board, has very specific guardrails around it to ensure that we, as an organization, exist for many years to come,” when asked if some of that money could be used to address the present budget shortfall. The monies are not designated for operational purposes. It truly serves as a strategic nest egg to ensure our survival and ability to continue serving our audiences in the future. Therefore, it’s not as if we can use that at this trying time.
Johnston gave the employees of The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS high marks for their handling of the merger, the loss of federal money, and other difficulties.
Johnston expressed his gratitude to the crew, saying, “I am so proud of them and impressed with them. I thank them for who they are and how they continue to create amazing content here in Rhode Island and beyond.”
The Public’s Radio was the first to publish this story. As part of the New England News Collaborative, it was shared.
