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Public Broadcasting in the News

NPR Public Editor Takes Fresh Look at Sponsorship Standards

National Public Radio listeners are quick to raise an eyebrow when they hear a sponsor message from a company they think falls short of public media’s tighter standards, says NPR Public Editor Kelly McBride. She explains how NPR decides who gets to have their corporate name uttered on the air in exchange for financial support.   

NewsHour Hires First-Ever 
Digital Anchor

The Public Broadcasting Service’s flagship news show, NewsHour, has hired its first-ever digital anchor, reports TVNewser. Nicole Ellis will become the dedicated lead anchor for the newscast’s digital video content. 

PBS Exceeds FY 2021 Revenue Projections by $5M 

The Public Broadcasting Service announced its net income for fiscal year 2021 was $30.4 million, or $5.4 million above its projection, Current reports. PBS Treasurer Tom Tardivo credits increased ancillary revenue, higher income from PBS distribution and lower expenses. 

Sara DeWitt Promoted at 
PBS Kids

Sara DeWitt, a 20-year veteran of the Public Broadcasting Service, will become the new senior vice president and general manager of PBS Kids, C21 Media reports. 

News Deserts

Do you live in a ‘news desert’? The University of North Carolina’s Hussman School of Journalism looks at the growing gaps in news coverage left by the closures of local newspapers around the country.

When Texas Border Town Lost Its Only Paper, Local Start-up Filled Void

When the Southwestern border town of Del Rio, Texas, lost its only newspaper, a local man stepped in with an investment in print, turning his event-oriented website into a news outlet with a print edition. He’s helping fight back against the encroaching edges of a news desert.

...more on 'News Deserts' and what PBS can do about them (older coverage)

Against the growing phenomena of news deserts in the United States – areas where local news outlets have failed or have been gutted by the loss of ad revenue – PBS is being called upon to act. One suggested remedy is overhauling the way the Corporation for Public Broadcasting issues grants for public affairs programming, from a Washington, DC -based metric to spending decided by local news producers. ...