Budget cuts threaten the lifeline of public broadcasting

Public broadcasting stations across New Mexico, especially in rural and tribal communities like Alamo, are facing existential threats following federal budget cuts that slashed millions in funding.

The rescissions bill signed into law in July eliminated two years of forward funding previously allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, leaving stations scrambling to survive.

In Alamo, the local radio station KABR, which serves the Navajo community, was off the air for at least a month before recently resuming operations.

“We were off for a while, but it’s back on now,” said Nigel Secatero, Chapter Vice President of the Alamo Navajo Chapter House, in a brief phone interview.

Franz Joachim, General Manager of New Mexico PBS, said the cuts have already impacted the smallest and most rural stations.

“I still haven’t received a call back from two stations,” Joachim said. “I don’t know if that’s because they’re off the air already.”

Joachim said that tribal stations like KABR in Alamo and KCIE in Dulce were heavily reliant on federal funding, with little local fundraising infrastructure.

“They serve communities that don’t have the ability to send an extra $10 a month,” he said.

Senator Mimi Stewart, President Pro Tempore of the New Mexico Senate, said that lawmakers are working to restore the lost funding in an upcoming special session.

“We intend to put into the budget all of the funds that have been cut,” Stewart said. “That’s our intention.”

The proposed state funding, estimated at $6.8 million for one year, would be a temporary fix. Joachim said that the full rescinded amount is closer to $11.8 million over two years.

“Even if we get one year, that would be an amazing effort on the state’s part,” Joachim said.

Joachim said without sustained support, New Mexico could see its public media landscape shrink dramatically, from 15 radio stations to just five or six.

For communities like Alamo, where public radio is often the only source of local news and emergency alerts, the stakes are high.

“It’s not just about programming,” said Stewart. “It’s about public safety, education, and access to information.”