Public broadcasting received an unwelcome surprise in the administration’s budget proposal for FY 2009 — a total proposed cut of nearly 60% in funding.
NPR CEO Ken Stern said the scope and breadth of the proposed cuts submitted to Congress are “significantly deeper than in past years.”
The recommendations include no additional funding in FY 2009 for public radio and public television digital conversion or upgrades to the Public Radio Satellite System.
Other proposed cuts include a $200 million rescission from the $400 million already appropriated by Congress for FY 2009 for CPB; a $220 million rescission from the $420 million already appropriated by for FY 2010; and no advance CPB appropriation for FY 2011.
Stern stated: “The last time funding was challenged, more than 2 million Americans who count on public broadcasting contacted their members of Congress and made their voices heard. We welcome their renewed support as we respond to this challenge.”
