FAQ: Kodiak Public Broadcasting’s Relationship with NPR

Does Kodiak Public Broadcasting receive funding from NPR?

No. Kodiak Public Broadcasting does not receive any funding from NPR. In fact, the relationship works the other way around: we purchase select programming from NPR and numerous other distributors like American Public Media and PRX to serve our listeners with high-quality journalism and entertainment.

Since we regularly purchase programming from NPR, that makes our flagship station, KMXT, an “NPR member station,” which opens up support in other areas, such as news integration on our website, kmxt.org.

How much of Kodiak Public Broadcasting’s budget goes toward NPR programming?

Less than 1% of our total annual budget is spent on NPR programming.

Despite NPR’s strong name recognition, it makes up a very small portion of our financial expenditures. The overwhelming majority of our resources are devoted to local news, community events, technical infrastructure, and the dedicated staff who keep community radio alive in Kodiak and across our broadcasting area.

How can I share my feedback about programming?

We love hearing from our listeners! If you have thoughts on current programs or suggestions for new ones, reach out anytime. We will get you in touch with our programming staff and Community Advisory Board.

And every year at Crabfest, we have a survey to help us understand what you want to listen to, so make sure you stop by the KMXT booth!

How much of your airtime is actually NPR content?

Across all four of our stations—KMXT, KODK, HD2, and HD3—we broadcast 672 total hours per week. Of that:

● 54 hours (8%) are NPR-produced news and public affairs (e.g., Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, top-of-the-hour headlines)

● 21 hours (3%) are NPR-produced entertainment or music programming

● 22 hours (3%) are NPR-distributed programs. These are programs like Marketplace, 1A, and Here and Now that are independently produced by public journalism outlets and use NPR’s distribution network. (Kind of like how Apple and Spotify distribute podcasts.)

In total, about 11% of our total broadcast time comes from NPR-produced content and another 3% from NPR-distributed content.

What about more conservative or alternative news options?

First, NPR news programs regularly feature conservative or right-leaning voices:

● David Brooks, for instance, is a frequent commentator on All Things Considered.

● Mona Charen, a conservative thinker on social and family issues, is featured on On Point and 1A.

● Reihan Salaam, a libertarian-leaning conservative, is often a guest analyst for immigration and policy debates.

● Ross Douthat, a conservative Catholic columnist for The New York Times, has regular longform segments on Fresh Air and Weekend Edition.

● Yuval Levin, editor of the right-leaning National Affairs magazine, is sought by Weekend Edition and All Things Considered for his conservative perspective on health care and institutional reform

● Ramesh Ponnuru, of the American Enterprise Institute, is a thoughtful conservative featured on Morning Edition to provide discussion on economics and law issues.

That said, we are open to carrying any news program that meets the same high standards of fairness, objectivity, and journalistic rigor that NPR maintains—regardless of political leaning. However, as a non-profit organization, we are restricted from broadcasting partisan programming, and rightly so.

To date, no nationally syndicated radio news program with a conservative editorial perspective has met the rigorous editorial and journalistic standards required for public radio distribution. If such a program existed—one that upheld the same commitment to fairness, sourcing, and fact-checking as NPR—we would absolutely consider it.

There are some center-right outlets (e.g. The Dispatch, Center for Strategic and International Studies) that produce serious, well-sourced journalism or podcasts, but are not included in traditional public radio syndication. That means that, typically, they are accountable to advertisers and private funders, first.

Unfortunately, many syndicated shows marketed as “alternatives” rely heavily on commentary, prioritize entertainment over journalism, or do not meet the editorial independence standards expected in public news broadcasting.

Why carry NPR news programming at all?

At KMXT, our mission is to provide accurate, trustworthy, and high-quality journalism that serves the public interest. NPR’s news programming—like Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and hourly news headlines—meets the highest standards in the industry for:

● Fact-checking and sourcing

● Editorial independence

● Fairness and balance

● In-depth, long-form reporting

These programs are widely recognized as the gold standard of broadcast journalism. Organizations like the Pew Research Center have consistently found NPR to be one of the most trusted news sources across political affiliations.Ad Fontes Media ranks NPR near the top for reliability and minimal bias.

We choose NPR not because of its name recognition, but because of its consistent commitment to journalistic ethics that align with the values of public service media. We also pair NPR coverage with our locally produced news, so you’re not only informed about global and national events, but also what’s happening right here in Kodiak and Alaska.

So who decides what gets aired on KMXT, KODK, and the HD channels?

Short answer: YOU DO!

Seriously.

Our Community Advisory Board (comprised of Kodiak residents) guides our programming staff to determine which programs we air. We are accountable to you—our listeners and our community—not to NPR, not to a national office, and not to corporate advertisers.

That’s what makes Kodiak community media different: our loyalty is to our mission and to our community.

If you are interested in being a decision-maker, read more about the Community Advisory Board and contact us!