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<\/p>\nPublic broadcasting cuts and rural areas <\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Public broadcasting funding cuts could lead to news blackouts in rural areas<\/p>\n 03:03<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n PBS has eliminated nearly 100 jobs in recent months due to recent cuts in federal funding, according to the public media company.\u00a0<\/p>\n The layoffs included 34 PBS staff members who were notified Thursday that their employment is ending, a PBS spokesperson told CBS News in an email.\u00a0<\/p>\n “In this unprecedented moment, we remain focused on what matters most: ensuring our member stations can deliver quality content and services to communities across America,” the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n The workforce reduction comes after Congress in July voted to eliminate $1.1 billion<\/a> allocated to public broadcasting, leaving PBS’ roughly 350 stations in a state of uncertainty. No stations have shut down so far, but many have appealed for public funding<\/a> to help them stay afloat.\u00a0<\/p>\n In another sign of its financial struggles, PBS announced last month that it\u00a0slashed its budget by 21%<\/a>. Board members also voted to reduce dues paid by local stations by $35 million, a move that will slow the flow of funding PBS receives from its member network.<\/p>\n New Jersey’s public television network confirmed to CBS News<\/a>\u00a0last month that it was planning to cut jobs because of the decrease in state and federal funding. In Spokane, Washington, 12 of PBS affiliate KSPS’ 35 staff members have either been laid off<\/a>, had their hours reduced or pay cut.<\/p>\n PBS and NPR radio service have historically received public funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But CPB, a nonprofit that supports public radio and television stations, in August said it would wind down operations<\/a>\u00a0after the federal funding cuts were announced.<\/p>\n \n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n