What PBS cut means for Long Island's WLIW

When most people think of PBS, they think of Big Bird, “Sesame Street,” or maybe “Downton Abbey.” But here on Long Island, WLIW is so much more than beloved television shows. It’s a lifeline — one that touches nearly every home, often in ways you may not even realize.

This summer, that lifeline is at risk. A sudden $28 million federal funding cut to New York State’s public media — part of the federal government’s decision to cancel already appropriated funding — has struck hard. For WLIW, it means jeopardizing local programming, essential educational resources, and emergency services that Long Island residents depend on every day.

What does that mean. It means Your Voice Matters — our program giving local leaders and community members a platform to discuss issues that matter to Suffolk County — may go silent. It means “The Heart of the East End” with Gianna Volpe, which spotlights local nonprofits, artists and businesses on WLIW-FM, could be cut back or eliminated. It means election and congressional debate coverage provided by programs like “LI Votes,” produced in partnership with Newsday, would not be televised.

In-depth reporting on the East End’s environmental challenges, and coverage of local government decisions that impact your taxes, schools, and quality of life could disappear.

And that’s just the visible part of what we do. WLIW also provides PBS LearningMedia — used by 276,000 Long Island teachers and students last year — to deliver free, standards-aligned lesson plans and video lessons. Our station is a public safety partner, delivering Wireless Emergency Alerts through PBS WARN to ensure geo-targeted alerts reach cellphones during hurricanes, floods, and other emergencies — critical on an Island that has lived through Sandy, Isaias and countless coastal storms. And WLIW-FM is where people on the East End turn during emergencies for up-to-date information from emergency responders.

These are not partisan services. They are community services.

That’s why, historically, public broadcasting has enjoyed broad bipartisan support in New York. Republican Govs. Nelson Rockefeller and George Pataki supported educational broadcasting. For decades, the Republican-led state Senate made sure public media funding was included in the budget — not because it was politically advantageous, but because it served the people.

The recent clawback of $1.1  billion in federal funding nationwide approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump isn’t about the value of public media; it’s about politics in Washington. And that’s unfortunate, because on Long Island, support for WLIW has never been political. People across the spectrum rely on us every day, whether it’s for local news, arts and culture, or emergency alerts that could save lives.

As we navigate this difficult time, I am asking the Long Island community to stand with WLIW. Whether it’s becoming a member, advocating to state leaders for emergency support, or simply sharing why public media matters to you, your voice makes a difference.

WLIW has been here for decades, telling Long Island’s stories, educating its children, and protecting its residents. With your support, we will continue to be here for decades more.

WLIW is not a political issue. It’s a Long Island issue. It’s a New York issue. It’s an American issue. And it’s worth protecting.

 THIS GUEST ESSAY reflects the views of Diane Masciale, WLIW vice president and general manager