Lakeshore Public Media’s new interim CEO Nancy Clifford said while the broadcasting company has seen an increase in public donations, it hasn’t managed to recoup the $1 million shortfall created by the elimination of federal and state funding.
In a statement to the Post-Tribune, Clifford said Lakeshore officials continue to explore expense reductions and funding sources. Clifford said she met with four different funders “about new opportunities” last week.
“The world is watching and the world is saying they want public media to survive,” Clifford said. “Public media will endure, though it may look a little different in the future. We aren’t done fighting to preserve this valuable community resource.”
Congress passed a rescissions package, which cut federal spending by $9 billion requested by President Donald Trump, in July. The funding cuts include deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid.
The legislation clawed back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it’s due to receive during the next two budget years.
In Indiana, the legislature approved a biennial budget that eliminated all funding to Indiana PBS and NPR stations. The elimination occurred in the final hours of the 2025 session.
The corporation distributes more than 70% of the money to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, with much of the remainder assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to support national programming.
Clifford said the federal funding was eliminated “with little notice and no transition period.” Further, Indiana outlets have to contend with the elimination of state revenue, she said.
Less revenues “has necessitated staffing reductions, which over time will further reduce revenue from sources like production and underwriting, Clifford said.
Clifford did not respond to requests for follow-up questions about specific expense reductions the station may consider moving forward.
Lakeshore Public Media remains committed to the mission of public media as a whole and public media in Northwest Indiana, Clifford said.
“These are challenging times for public media, and I love a good challenge. I look forward to working with Lakeshore again as we explore new business models to cope with the current public media funding environment,” Clifford said. “While we don’t know just yet what that will look like, we are doing everything possible to remain a community resource.”
Clifford, who served in the same role in 2021, will offer expertise “during this unprecedented time in public media,” said Lakeshore Public Media board chair Larry Brechner.
“We’re beyond pleased to welcome Nancy back to Lakeshore,” Brechner said. “Her experience and familiarity with the region make her the right leader to guide us through today’s evolving public media landscape.”
Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, said Clifford is a “stabilizing force” and the organization is grateful to have her back at the head of the station.
Stations in Indiana have been adapting to the media environment and rethinking how to operate and organize staff, Newman said.
“While staffing adjustments have been part of that process, the focus is firmly on strengthening our ability to deliver trusted, essential services in education, public safety, and civic engagement,” Newman said. “These steps are about building resilient and forward-looking organizations – ones that can continue to inform and connect Hoosiers for generations to come.”
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