This article was originally published by WFYI.
The following letter from WFYI President & CEO Greg Petrowich was shared with WFYI donors and stakeholders on Thursday, April 25, 2025. It has been reproduced here in its entirety.
I am following up on my email from yesterday with devastating news.
Indiana’s two-year budget bill for state funding was passed last night, and Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations have lost $3.675 million in critical funding per year. For WFYI, this budget cut results in a loss of $590,000 in annual funding and will affect our revenue beginning in July. Additionally, the impact of this budget cut will be felt in towns and cities across the entire state where public media stations reach 95% of Hoosiers.
We heard from many of you yesterday. It means a lot that you took action to make your voice heard and we could not be more grateful. It was especially heartwarming to read about your gratitude and support for WFYI and what public media means in your life.
The fight to save federal funding for public media starts now.
A White House plan to claw back previously approved public media funding could be sent to Congress in the coming days, with a potential House vote the week of May 5. If approved, this plan — combined with the loss of state funding — could have catastrophic consequences for public media stations in Indiana, potentially leading to station closures and limiting access to the vital, free services we provide to all Hoosiers. For WFYI, federal funding totals $1.5 million and makes up 11% of our overall budget.
The most important voices that will influence lawmakers’ decisions are yours, and we need them now more than ever.
Here are three things you can do to help:
- Support WFYI. Contributions from individuals like you make up the largest piece of our budget. We will need support from everyone to fill this funding gap. You can become a first-time donor, increase your sustaining membership or make an additional gift.
- Join Protect My Public Media and contact your Members of Congress to let them know that you value public media. It is critical that Congress hears from constituents as this proposal is being considered.
- Share how public media has impacted your life by sending us a message at testimonials@wfyi.org.
This is not the news we hoped to share — but we are not alone in facing it. Across our community, leaders of nonprofit organizations are navigating similar challenges, grappling with deep budget cuts from both state and federal sources. These are difficult times for us all. But in times like these, unity and resilience matter most. Now is the moment to stand together, to support one another and to collaborate with purpose. Our dedication to this community and our mission remains unshakable. We will move forward — together.
Thank you for your continued support of WFYI.
This is an update shared by Mark Newman, Executive Director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc. on April 25, 2025.
Statement from Mark Newman, Executive Director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc.
We were stunned and deeply disheartened by the release of the latest state budget plan from leadership in the Indiana General Assembly.
Despite being included in the governor’s original budget proposal and passing through both the House and Senate without amendment, state funding for Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations has been completely eliminated for FY2026 and FY2027.
This decision removes $3.675 million in longstanding support for our 17 member stations — funding that has been vital to public media in Indiana for decades. This action came without advance warning or explanation.
While we understand the gravity of the state’s $2.4 billion budget shortfall, the complete zeroing out of funding — without dialogue or compromise — is both unexpected and unconscionable. The ramifications will be felt across Indiana.
Public broadcasting in Indiana serves 95% of the state, connecting Hoosiers of all ages and backgrounds with programming that informs, educates, and inspires. Without state support, the impact will be profound:
- Young children and families will lose access to trusted educational programming that prepares children for school and lifelong success.
- Seniors will lose resources designed to support healthy, independent living — from financial literacy to wellness and digital safety.
- Local artists and historians will lose an essential platform for preserving and sharing Indiana’s rich cultural heritage.
- Public safety infrastructure will be compromised, as we play a vital role in distributing emergency alerts and information statewide.
- All Hoosiers risk losing access to fact-based, community-centered news and information that strengthens civic life and fosters informed decision-making.
Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations has always served the people of Indiana — not with partisanship, but with purpose. We are urging residents to make their voices heard. Contact your state legislator and ask them to restore funding for public media.
Public media matters. Indiana deserves better.
The following letter from WFYI President & CEO Greg Petrowich was shared with WFYI donors and stakeholders on Thursday, April 24, 2025. It has been reproduced here in its entirety.
I am reaching out to you with an urgent update and call to action.
Late last night, the new two-year budget bill for state funding was released and $3.675 million in critical funding (per year) for Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations has been removed from the Indiana state budget.
There are 17 public broadcasting stations across the state, serving 95% of Hoosiers, providing free access to trusted journalism, lifelong learning and public safety information.
What does this mean for Hoosiers across the state?
State funding makes up a critical portion of the budget for our local public media stations. Rolling it back would seriously impact our ability to provide trusted local news, life-saving emergency alerts, proven educational resources and essential community services.
For WFYI, state funding makes up nearly 5% of our budget—that’s $590,000. Loss of this funding will impact the overall stability of our budget. We will have to close this gap through additional funding from other sources or cut expenses. This will be a devastating loss for Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations across the state and the communities we serve.
Please call your state representative and let them know that you value public media. You can find your legislator here.
Key Facts:
- Public media stations play a critical role in the state of Indiana, providing free access to news and information, educational content and public safety resources.
- Public Broadcasting Stations serve 95% of Hoosiers and the impact of these funding cuts will hurt our district and the state of Indiana.
- WFYI plays an indispensable role in our community and these funding cuts will impact the lives of all Hoosiers, from those who rely on free access to news and information and critical educational resources that support children and families.
Thank you for your continued support of WFYI.
