Yesterday the Associated Press reported that South Dakota Public Broadcasting will be cut 16 percent by July 1st. Executive Director Julie Andersen could not divulge anymore information because staff have not been fully informed on the cuts. This budget cut of (800,000 dollars)16 percent though, will cause the termination of 7 staff members. Andersen says that local television programming will be cut, the radio schedule will change, and that late night educational programming will be eliminated. When questioned about this 16 percent cut, Governor Dennis Daugaurd stated that, "the budget cut is middle ground between those who like public broadcasting and those who don't."
Now a 16 percent cut is a huge cut. This cut is six percent higher than the average 10 percent cuts for all other agencies except education. The governor though calls 16 percent cut is middle ground? Middle ground would be a 10 percent cut,the cut that most agencies reluctantly took. The state legislature took advantage of Republican party sentiment toward the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. This is not a budget matter, it is a way to attack media source that covers the entire state. If you remember, that South Dakota Public Broadcasting is the only place that provides adequate coverage of the State Legislature in their reporting on television with Statehouse, and radio reports on South Dakota Public Radio. No other media source covers state affairs like South Dakota Public Broadcasting. In defense of the legislature, Larry Tideman Senator from Brookings said that, Public Broadcasting did not fight to keep their funding. The problem with this type of argument is that everyone received a cut. For Public Broadcasting to fight for their budget, they would have to show that they were more important than Education and Medicare. It would be very difficult to for any state organization to deem themselves more important than Education. Even though their are more important items to fund than Public Broadcasting, but still a cut their in funding will hurt the overall operation of South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
Andersen made the comment that local television programming will be cut to compensate the budget reduction. Could it be possible that there would be less media over site of State Politicians due to the fact that South Dakota Public Broadcasting might not be adequately able to fact check, and provide comprehensive reporting on state events? Will the quality of the High school State Basketball Tournaments fall back to only airing one tournament instead of all three? Will shows like Dakota Focus, On Call, No Cover No Minimum, and Nature Adventures will they be able stay on television? We do know that some of the late night educational programming meant for teachers to use in classrooms will no longer be shown for the benefit of South Dakota students. The problem with the cuts and possible cuts is that we as South Dakotans will suffer. Local programming that is available now will not be able to evolve into better programming, or possibly have the ability to come back after being in absence. Cutting valuable programming is never good for a society.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting is a very important part of South Dakota society and that the impact of cuts to their budget should have been considered during the budget process. I hope that South Dakotans will help South Dakota Public Broadcasting close their funding gap, and help provide the funds necessary for quality programming for South Dakota.
