San Francisco, CA – KQED, the prominent Bay Area public media outlet, has announced a 15% reduction in its workforce, eliminating 45 positions, as it grapples with a $12 million budget deficit and significant federal funding cuts. The move comes as the U.S. Congress rescinded $1.1 billion previously allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), impacting public media stations nationwide.
The financial challenges at KQED have prompted calls for increased community support, as highlighted by a recent email from CEO Michael J. Isip. Social media user Thomas Hawk shared content from an email, stating, > "The CEO of @KQED Michael J. Isip just sent me an email begging for money now that their Federal funding has been cut. He makes almost $600,000 per year by the way." Records indicate Isip's reported salary is $501,382, with total compensation around $537,319.
KQED leadership attributes the layoffs and financial strain to a combination of federal funding threats, declining revenues from corporate sponsorships and grants, and a "tumultuous, fragmented media landscape." The station has emphasized its role in providing trusted news and media literacy tools, particularly in an era of widespread misinformation.
Thomas Hawk, a photographer and blogger known for his critical stance on traditional media, expressed skepticism regarding KQED's fundraising approach. He tweeted, > "Crazy that KQED is trying to beg for money using the threat of 'misinformation' and 'disinformation' as their selling point. Glad my tax dollars are no longer going to prop them up." Hawk further elaborated on his media consumption preferences, stating, > "This is how things should work, people like NPR, PBS, KQED, and the @nytimes can beg for money and based on their past journalistic malpractice, I can say no and instead pay for premium+ on @X where I can get my news uncensored."
The federal cuts, championed by some conservative lawmakers, have been a long-standing concern for public media. While federal funding accounts for a small percentage of KQED's overall budget, it serves as a critical foundation, enabling stations to leverage additional support from other sources. The current financial adjustments mark the third round of layoffs for KQED in five years, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by public broadcasting in a rapidly evolving media environment.