The Chamber Board Advocates for WVIA’s Impact

As you are certainly aware, the White House formally asked Congress to rescind federal funding appropriated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). This effort would zero out funds already approved by Congress to fund CPB (and NPR and PBS) over the next two years.

This is significant to all of us in northeastern Pennsylvania as our public broadcasting station, WVIA, receives approximately $1.2 million in critical federal funding from CPB each year—roughly 20% of its overall budget.

If this funding is cut, WVIA could be forced to immediately reduce or eliminate important television and radio programs and resources, and emergency broadcasting services. Perhaps most notable, they would have to re-examine the allocation of resources currently invested in local news.

Over the past few years, WVIA has grown its new division in both mediums—providing a valuable additional local perspective on issues and topics of interest to our communities. Further, WVIA long-form news programming allows the station to drill deeper on many subjects of local import, serving the public in both civic and economic realms.

WVIA has delivered relevant, in-depth programing for nearly 60 years, including award-winning locally produced documentaries, performances, news and public affairs programs across TV, radio, and digital platforms.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, we ask you to reject this proposed action, and send a signal of your support of WVIA—an invaluable regional asset.