The next 48 hours are critical for KYUK

by Mike Martz on February 16, 2011

The U.S. House and Senate continue to debate the next steps in keeping the government funded before the current Continuing Resolution expires on March 18th. The focus of the debate is on cutting government spending in the face of the enormous deficit facing the country. Proposals to eliminate all federal funding for public broadcasting are still included in the legislation being proposed. The next 48 hours will be critical to the effort to retain federal funding for public broadcasting in Alaska and throughout the country.

For KYUK, like most small rural public stations, federal funding accounts for up to 60% of our annual budget. Without those funds we would be unable to provide news, information, cultural programs, music, emergency information and community messages at the level we do now. In fact, the loss of our federal grants may force us off the air.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, along with Congressman Don Young and Senator Mark Begich, has been a strong supporter of public media in Alaksa in the past. She understands the critical role public radio stations play in Alaska. However, she needs to hear from more Alaskans that they value their local public radio stations and the services they provide.  These calls must be made now.

If you value public media in Alaska and your local public media station, KYUK, I urge you to call the office of Senator Lisa Murkowski at (202) 224-6665 today or visit her website to send an email.

Thank her for her support. Tell her how you value the services KYUK provides and urge her to support continued federal funding for public broadcasting.

Also contact Congressman Don Young at (202)225-5765 or visit his website to send an email and Senator Mark Begich at (202) 224-3004 or visit his website to send an email with the same message.

If you’ve already made a call or sent an email, thank you, but please call or email again over the next two or three days. Your expression of support for the value of public media in Bethel and the Y/K region is vital to keeping our delegation members in Washington DC fighting to maintain a level of funding for public broadcasting.

Thank you for your support of KYUK, public media for the Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta.

Mike Martz
General Manager, KYUK AM/FM/TV