Federal Funding and Kodiak Public Broadcasting: Frequently Asked Questions
Recent Developments: Federal Funding at Risk
On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media," directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease all federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), citing concerns over perceived media bias. This order also restricts local stations from using CPB funds to license content from NPR and PBS, potentially impacting programming at stations like KMXT and KODK.
The CPB, however, is a nonprofit entity created by Congress, not an executive agency. It has pushed back, challenging the order’s legality and reaffirming its independence from both political and corporate interference.
What is Kodiak Public Broadcasting Corporation (KPBC)?
KPBC operates KMXT 100.1 FM and KODK 90.7 FM, Kodiak’s public radio stations. As a nonprofit, community-licensed broadcaster, we provide trusted local news, weather, cultural programming, music, and national content from PRX, NPR, BBC, and more. We also serve as a key part of Kodiak’s emergency communications system.
How much does this cost me as a taxpayer?
Federal support for public broadcasting costs each American approximately $1.60 per year—less than a cup of coffee. That small investment provides free, non-commercial access to news, culture, music, and emergency information for all Americans, regardless of income or geography.
Where does our funding come from?
KPBC receives funding from several sources:
● Individual donations from local listeners and supporters
● Underwriting support from local businesses (with strict non-commercial standards)
● Foundation and community grants
● The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) – a nonprofit organization that distributes federal funding to public media stations nationwide
Because we are a non-commercial station, we do not air traditional advertisements. That means we aren’t subject to corporate marketing pressures or beholden to off-island CEOs or shareholders. We don’t have to shape our programming to fit a sponsor’s image or product line.
Instead, our accountability is local. Our programming choices are guided by the needs and values of the Kodiak community, not by corporate executives or political officials. And since CPB is a nonprofit created by Congress—not a government agency—our public funding is independent of both corporate influence and partisan control.
In other words: we are only accountable to you
Why is CPB funding so important to Kodiak?
Federal support through CPB is especially vital in rural and remote areas like ours, where:
● The cost of delivering services is higher
● Geographic isolation limits access to other media
● Small population size makes local fundraising more difficult
CPB funding allows us to:
● Sustain daily operations and staffing
● Maintain transmitters and infrastructure across the Kodiak archipelago
● Broadcast national shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered
● Create local programs like Talk of the Rock and the Midday Report
Serve as the Emergency Alert System (EAS) hub for the Kodiak region
How does federal funding support emergency preparedness?
Public stations like KMXT and KODK are designated as official Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasters. We relay real-time alerts for:
● Earthquakes
● Tsunamis
● Flooding and landslides
● AMBER Alerts
● Severe storms and weather events
In Alaska, where natural disasters are part of life, federal funding supports the emergency infrastructure that ensures Kodiak stays informed and safe. For many rural communities, public radio is the only consistent source of up-to-date emergency information.
What happens if CPB funding is cut?
If CPB support is eliminated or reduced, the impact on Kodiak’s public broadcasting would be profound:
● Loss of local programming and reporting
● Risk to critical emergency broadcast capabilities
● Shrinking access to national and international news
● Staff layoffs and reduced service hours
A shift toward reliance on private sponsorship—bringing with it potential pressure to alter programming
What can I do to help?
● Donate: Your support helps keep local, independent media alive in Kodiak.
● Contact your elected officials: Let them know public media matters to you.
● Share your story: Tell friends, neighbors, and lawmakers how public broadcasting has impacted your life.
