https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQwGfFTcARgBETHLEHEM, Pa. — PBS39 broadcast a forum Thursday night on proposed public media funding cuts and their impact in Pennsylvania and locally.
"A Community Conversation: Broadcast in the Balance" was produced live by PBS39 from the Univest Public Media Center.
There are several ways to watch the hourlong program, including:
Here on LehighValleyNews.com;
Streaming on PBS39.org; and,
On the PBS39 YouTube channel.
Hosted by PBS39 Executive Producer Brittany Sweeney, the show examines the impact a vote by Congress to claw back federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting could have on public media outlets.
The cuts were ordered by President Donald Trump and are part of a rescissions package that the U.S. House has already approved. The U.S. Senate is expected to consider the measure in July.
Among the guests scheduled to participate:
- Katherine Maher, president and chief executive officer of National Public Radio;
- Hasanna Birdsong, president and chief executive officer of Lehigh Valley Public Media;
- Kate Sickora, chief development officer for Pittston-based WVIA;
- Jim Deegan, vice president for news of Lehigh Valley Public Media;
- Margaret McConnell, executive director of WDIY radio in Bethlehem;
- Cate Reifsnyder, director of education for Lehigh Valley Public Media;
- Sarah Meitzler, librarian at Lower Macungie Pubilc Library;
- Scott Garrigan, founder of the Garrigan Foundation.
CORRECTION: This post was corrected to reflect the rescissions package under consideration in Congress is separate from the reconciliation bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill.