I’m deeply saddened that WKAR - the wonderful PBS station I work with - has had to lay off several incredibly talented, dedicated, and kind colleagues due to federal funding cuts driven by the Trump administration’s push to defund public media.
Stations like WKAR are the backbone of local communities, offering trusted news, diverse voices, and educational content that enriches our lives and strengthens society. 1/
To my friends who’ve been let go: Your professionalism and unwavering commitment to the mission of PBS have made a lasting impact on-air, online, and behind the scenes with honest, meaningful storytelling. Thank you.
To those in my network: I know some of the very best producers, editors, sound designers, and camera people in the business. They are smart, creative, and mission-driven individuals so please reach out if you’re hiring! /2
And to funders, policymakers, and community supporters: This isn’t just a local story. It’s part of a national crisis. We all lose when funding meant to serve the public good is stripped away.
If we believe in informed citizens and a healthy democracy, we must fight to protect the institutions that make them possible. /3
Sheril Kirshenbaum
Morgunin