CPB Provides Emergency Aid to New York Noncoms

Half million dollars will help WNYC and WNEW stay on the air with important local info

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/5/2012 2:11:29 PM

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has given a half million dollars in emergency aid to noncom stations WNEW and WNYC, both New York, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

Each will get $250,000 to address "urgent and critical needs," which means it will help them to continue to broadcast news about relief efforts and to repair station infrastructure damaged by the storm.

"WNET and WNYC are public media stations truly connected to the people they serve. Their boards comprise men and women who live and work in New York and New Jersey, and they are connected to friends and families in all the communities hard hit by this devastating hurricane," said CPB president Patricia Harrison. "WNET and WNYC will be on the ground, on the air and online telling this story long after other news coverage has moved on. CPB is pleased to be able to provide these additional resources so that WNET and WNYC can continue to deliver the vital news and information on which their listeners and viewers depend." 

CPB pointed out that with transportation still hobbled and many without electricity, public media has proved to be as "important lifeline." The National Association of Broadcasters is expected to make the same point about its commercial station members in a special edition of its public service newsletter highlighting the many stories of broadcasters providing both emergency info and aid.