(South Dakota Broadcasters Association) Lawmakers are signaling increased scrutiny of South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s programming and funding model after the loss of federal dollars.
Republican Sen. John Carley from Piedmont.
“So if we have five-and-a-half million dollars… could we trade a capital coverage for one of the other [pieces]… or would Friends be willing to cover some of that and maybe we take some of the NPR or PBS out?”
SDPB Executive Director Julie Overgaard told lawmakers the work cannot be easily separated.
“The same staff that we use to do the open government is the same staff that’s doing high school activities… For us, our priorities have been public safety, open government, legislative coverage, and local programming.”
Overgaard said SDPB will continue exploring revenue options but warned that pay-for-access models could limit public service and require costly new technology.
