Former staffers start SDPB Alumni to assist South Dakota Public Broadcasting
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Former staff members of South Dakota Public Broadcasting have started an alumni group to assist the network and its Friends organization in the wake of federal funding cuts.
The group has four mandates: 1. Give money to SDPB to fund programming and operations; 2. Ask others to donate funds to SDPB and Friends; 3. Advocate for SDPB in various forums; and 4. Reconnect with former colleagues.
“In light of the recent federal budget cuts, a couple of us who are former staff members decided we needed to help SDPB,” said Dr. Michael Marek, one of the group’s founders. “Many of us got our professional starts at SDPB. We are proud of the work we did for the citizens of South Dakota and want to support the great work SDPB continues to do in enhancing the lives of South Dakotans.”
For example, beginning in 1969, Marek has worked at SDPB or Friends as a student, an intern, a journalist, and a fundraiser. SDPB stations have served South Dakota with educational and public radio since 1922, educational and public television since 1961, and SDPB online programs and educational content almost since the advent of the internet.
The “SDPB Alumni” Facebook page, which anyone can find and follow, will share information about the network, funding, the long-term educational and public service provided by public broadcasting to South Dakota, and how the public can best support SDPB in a positive manner during this challenging time and into the future.
“We view the SDPB Alumni as a ‘force multiplier,’” said Ryan Howlett, Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting CEO. “These alumni have particular insight into the importance of SDPB and public broadcasting. They have also contributed or are contributing to the network’s missions of serving the cultural, educational, and informational needs of South Dakotans for as long as 60 years.”
The group will operate under the guidance of the Friends of SDPB. The alumni group is open to all current and former SDPB staff, board members, and others who have contributed to the success of the network. There is also a public-facing Facebook page that SDPB supporters can join.
For more information, interview requests, or to join the SDPB Alumni group, contact Todd Epp at tepp@sdpbalumni.com or 605.351.5021.
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The only time we watch PBS is for the series they have. It costs us $60 a year. If they would stick to these good, wholesome programs and broadcast SD sports events, I would support them more. I have read that some places in SD do not get TV channels other than PBS. I remember the days when you could get the basic TV channels without paying for cable TV. We were poor as church mice but still had several TV channels. The problem is the woke news and PBS becoming another liberal propaganda outlet. They are public and should not be donating to political and controversial agendas. Public means “for all” and neutral. I wonder if Fox News added children’s programs and was publicly funded, how that would go over??? While the concept of Public Broadcasting is positive, it was ruined by the wrong people getting in charge of it.
Describe what “woke” means in the context of SDPB
Come on man! Don’t try that stupid what is woke crap. Your not that dumb.
Biut you are?
Does woke mean reporting facts in Orange Cankleman Land?
You have Akex Jones to get whatever single syllable talking points you need.
That was a stupid statement…from a libturd. What a surprise.
My not that dumb? No, perhaps not me. One of us, though.
We posted our story on our website. We had an opportunity to ask Senator Rounds and Congressman Johnson their views on SDPB when they were at the Brown County Fair last week. Both had high praise for SDPB.
In fact the story we posted we included comments made by both after Julie encouraged SD citizens to reach out to them when they were in the state.
https://hubcityradio.com/sdpb-looks-toward-the-future-following-cuts-made-in-washington/
I have actually met a couple of people, currently in the 70s, who watch SDPTV, but only on Saturday nights.
I have an idea of how to fund public broadcasting: repeal the Public Health Smoking Act of 1971, and let tobacco producers advertise on PBS exclusively. With all that money, they might start producing content worth watching.