Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee
Event Log
Christopher Ward — Jack Speer thanks the committee and refers to the California representatives and assembly members.
Christopher Ward — Thanked as Chairman Ward.
Christopher Ward — Joe Moore addresses Assembly Member Christopher Ward at the start of his remarks and then refers to him again during the committee exchange, keeping the discussion centered on the same interaction.
Christopher Ward — The speaker thanks Christopher Ward multiple times for his engagement and support, including his role as chairman/assembly member and for allowing the public forum, all in the context of discussing sustainable public media funding.
Christopher Ward — As chair, he thanked the public and panelists, described the testimony as sobering and alarming, and said the committee would share content and recommendations with members in January.
Avelino Valencia — No direct statement in this section, but the chair referred generally to other committee members being present.
Senator Akela Weber-Pearson — The chair introduced Senator Weber-Pearson as a colleague who would speak next.
Senator Dr. Akela Weber Pearson — Introduced herself and stated she represents Senate District 39, which includes the area.
Senator Weber Pearson — Mentioned alongside Assembly Member Ward as a host of the meeting.
Jennifer Farrow — Jennifer Farrow, president and CEO of KCRW in Los Angeles, is introduced as the first panelist and then invited to speak next, with the discussion framed around her perspective on public radio in California.
Jennifer Farrow — Introduces herself as CEO of KCRW, a public radio station in Los Angeles.
Andy Russell — Andy Russell is introduced as the president and CEO of PBS Southern California, then begins his remarks by explaining his role as CEO of PBS SoCal and president of California Public Television. He outlines the network of 11 PBS stations serving Californians and notes their statewide reach, setting up the broader discussion of public television before the conversation turns to public radio.
Matt Pierce — Introduced as director of policy for Rebuild Local News and a panelist.
Matt Pierce — Matt Pierce, Director of Policy for Rebuild Local News, introduced himself and described the coalition as a nonprofit, nonpartisan group focused on strengthening community news and information. He then began his testimony explaining why public broadcasters are essential in California and why federal defunding harms access to quality local news.
Sade Elhawary — Addressed as Senator, though the specific senator is not named in this excerpt; likely a transcription carryover from prior remarks.
Sade Elhawary — Four Democrats were absent, and the witness notes that their absence mattered in the near-defeat of the measure.
Al Roker — The speaker discusses a new series with Al Roker focused on the impact of weather and understanding climate, noting that the project was only secured for one season rather than the usual two, which resulted in lost funding for the series.
Jeff Gonzalez — Not mentioned in this section; no member ID applies here.
KCRW representative — KCRW’s representative explained that the organization is supported by more than 50,000 members along with business and foundation contributions, and that federal funding made up about 5% of its budget, or $1.3 million. The loss of that funding had immediate consequences, including layoffs of 11% of employees and consideration of selling radio towers in smaller Southern California communities because operating costs are too high. The witness also emphasized that KCRW is more than a broadcaster, describing it as a community hub that helps organize people and businesses after national disasters.
Hugo — Identified as being present and able to speak about Radio Bilingüe’s expected grants.
AB1511 — AB 1511, enacted last year, was described as a bill directing state agencies to increase advertising spending in community and ethnic media.
Mr. Russell — The chair asks Mr. Russell to clarify the company’s cost-reduction efforts, specifically what a potential 30% reduction in costs would mean in practice, including operational impacts such as staffing and possible time off the air.
Jennifer — Mentioned as someone who may offer additional perspectives on partnership models.
Jennifer — Referenced as having previously noted that October was the first month the money did not start to come in.
Jack Spear — Introduced as a broadcaster with NBR and a SAG-AFTRA member.
Nathan Dappen — Introduced as a filmmaker and co-founder of Dease Edge Productions.
Jack Speer — Jack Speer introduces himself, notes his long career at NPR, his recent retirement, his teaching role at Johns Hopkins, and his service on the SAG-AFTRA National Board. He then testifies about the effects of the $1.1 billion rescission, arguing that the harm goes beyond lost revenue to include reduced news coverage and a broader decline in journalism. He cites the steep drop in working journalists, the disappearance of local newspapers, and the growth of news deserts where communities have little or no local coverage. He concludes by thanking the committee and expressing hope for continued support for public media and local journalism.
Mr. Speer — Was thanked for his testimony and invited to answer questions about public media.
Mr. Speer — Mr. Speer discussed the challenges facing journalism, emphasizing that quality reporting requires time, resources, and institutional support rather than the fast-paced, fragmented model of much commercial, internet, and streaming media. He said fewer students are entering journalism and that there are fewer outlets for them to practice, while independent startups and podcasts often lack traction and funding. He argued that strong journalism depends on infrastructure and collaboration, and expressed concern that the country is not moving in the right direction. In response to questions about the profession’s future and how broadcasters should respond to existential threats, he stressed the importance of balancing reporting with advocacy for public awareness, noting that local audiences want news from people in their own communities. He added that public affairs requirements have long disappeared, public media has helped fill the gap, and budget cuts threaten that role. As possible solutions, he suggested partnerships among newspapers, radio, and other outlets, along with community funding, warning that losing local coverage means losing a significant part of the community itself.
Nate Dappen — Nate Dappen introduced himself as a biologist turned documentary filmmaker and described his work as director and co-creator of PBS’s Human Footprint, noting its reach and Emmy recognition. He then discussed another PBS Nature project, San Diego: America’s Wildest City, and explained that public media funding made these productions possible, but that those funds have now disappeared. Dappen said the cuts have hit his small production company hard, forcing layoffs of all 10 full-time employees and affecting many others in the science filmmaking and journalism ecosystem. He argued that NPR and PBS are unique noncommercial, fact-checked public-interest outlets, and closed by warning that the gap between society’s dependence on science and technology and public understanding of them is dangerous. He urged continued support for public media so voters can engage with major challenges like climate change, digital privacy, biotechnology, and AI.
Mr. Spear — The chair asks Mr. Spear to describe the work involved in assembling a newscast.
Mr. Spear — The committee member transitions to addressing Mr. Spear.
Dwayne Brown — Mentioned as a co-anchor in California, anchoring out of Culver City.
Mr. Dappen — A committee member thanks Mr. Dappen, noting as a fellow scientist that his presentation was appreciated and highlighted the educational role of public broadcasting.
a professor / Mr. Spear — The speaker asks what advice is given to students as journalism changes.
Deanna Mackey — Deanna Mackey was introduced as the general manager of KPBS, and she then briefly addressed the audience to identify herself, express pride in leading KPBS, and welcome attendees to KPBS and San Diego State University.
Jose Martina de Soldana — Introduced as co-executive director for Radio Bilingüe and part of the final panel.
Jose Martina de Soldana — Introduces himself as co-executive director of Radio Bilingüe and describes the organization’s mission and history.
Joe Moore — Introduced as president and general manager of KVPR in Fresno and Bakersfield and part of the final panel.
Joe Moore — Joe Moore introduces himself as the President and General Manager of KVPR Valley Public Radio, identifying it as the NPR station serving California’s Central Valley.
Sharon Quirk-Silva — Likely referenced in the phrase 'Senator Weber Pearson'; the transcript is unclear and may be a mishearing, so this is questionable.
Liz Ortega — The transcript says 'Ms. Mackie'; this appears to be a mishearing or unclear reference, likely not a member name.
Hugo Morales — Hugo Morales introduces himself as the next public commenter and identifies himself as the founder and co-executor of Radio Bilingüe. He says that he and Jose are Mexican and that, as a result, they feel targeted. He explains that the organization has had to line up law firms in case it becomes a target like KCBS, and notes that he and the news team are mostly Mexican and immigrant, with himself being Indigenous Oaxaqueño from Oaxaca, Mexico. Morales adds that he began as a prune picker and says Radio Bilingüe helps the community with health access and emergency preparedness, including providing hourly information during the Pajaro inundation about basic needs and school-related guidance. He concludes by discussing the broader infrastructure needs of public broadcasting stations, noting that equipment has a lifespan and must be replaced.
Heather Milne Barger — Introduces herself as being with KPBS and says she will read a statement from Michael Isip.
Michael Isip — Michael Isip, President and CEO of KQED, testifies about the impact of funding losses on the organization. He explains that KQED has had to cut staffing, reduce weekend news coverage, shrink its on-call reporter pool, and scale back youth and statewide news programming. He also describes the loss of a three-year $1.9 million U.S. Department of Education grant and says these cuts weaken KQED’s ability to provide civic education, local information, and public service that help keep Californians informed and engaged.
Dr. Thomas Tacky — Dr. Thomas Tacky, an audio production teacher at Central Union High School and advisor to Voices del Valle, describes how his students produced a full season of podcasts with support from KPBS. He explains that the experience gave students professional exposure, boosted their confidence and speaking skills, and inspired pride across the campus. He adds that the series was praised by business, government, and community leaders for authentically representing the Imperial Valley and uses the example to urge continued support for public media and young storytellers in underserved regions.
Andrew Bowen — Introduces himself as a KPBS reporter and union shop steward, and thanks leadership for pledging no layoffs this fiscal year.
Kerry Biggs-Adams — Introduced herself as President of NABET-CWA and spoke in support of California setting a national model for public media funding.
Christopher Ward — Opened the hearing, thanked KPBS and San Diego State University for hosting, and introduced the purpose of the hearing.
Christopher Ward — Explained that the hearing is focused on gathering information to determine how California can best support public media.