CPB Funds COVID-19 PSAs for Tribal and HBCU Public Stations

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 8, 2021

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has awarded more than $300,000 to Native Public Media and to KTSU-FM/Houston, a public radio station licensed to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), to coordinate COVID-19 public outreach campaigns to 51 public radio stations serving Native and Black communities. The campaigns, airing on 36 tribal stations and 15 stations licensed to HBCUs, will provide trusted, life-saving information about vaccines to the most vulnerable populations in the U.S.

"Public media stations, locally operated and highly trusted, are well-positioned to provide critical information to communities hard hit by the pandemic. CPB is pleased to support the efforts of these 51 public radio stations to aggressively engage their Black and Native American communities with COVID-19 information," said CPB President and CEO Pat Harrison. "By providing accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the continuing need to wear masks and maintain social distance, these stations will reduce the spread of disinformation and advance the public health of the communities they serve."

As a founding partner of the COVID Collaborative, a national assembly of leaders from different sectors developing a unified platform for addressing the coronavirus pandemic, CPB supports the dissemination of vital information about vaccines and other protective measures against COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately represented among COVID-19 cases, and the coronavirus has been shown to be far deadlier for Black and Native Americans than other groups in the U.S.

"The pandemic hit Native communities hard, and these communities depend on Native stations for news and health information and as a local forum for discussion about critical issues. As in any community, a solid network of partnerships is critical to address Native American and Alaska Native emergency needs. We are grateful to CPB for funding these information campaigns, which address resilience gaps during this time of national emergency," said Native Public Media President and CEO Loris Taylor.

"HBCU public radio stations serve as a vital connection to African American communities," added KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker. "KTSU is pleased to lead this effort among other HBCU stations to provide life-saving information to fight the pandemic on our campuses and in our larger communities."

Native Public Media, which provides leadership, resources, and strategic services to public radio stations across Indian Country, will organize, coordinate and provide financial support to tribal stations to produce and broadcast public service campaigns and other relevant content, such as social media infographics. KTSU will produce multimedia content for the campaign and provide funds to the HBCU stations to produce additional content and engagement materials.

Tribal stations:

• Alaska: KNBA/Anchorage, KBRW/Barrow, KYUK/Bethel, KCUK/Chevak, KZPA/Ft. Yukon, KIYU/Galena, KOTZ/Kotzebue, KSDP/Sand Point, KUHB/St. Paul, KNSA/Unalaskleet, KRFF/Fairbanks
• Arizona: KNNB/Whiteriver, KUYI/Kykotsmovi, KGHR/Tuba City, KOHN/Sells
• California: KIDE/Hoopa
• Colorado: KSUT/Ignacio
• Idaho: KIYE/Lapwai
• Minnesota: KKWE/Callaway, KBFT/Nett Lake, KOJB/Cass Lake
• Montana: KGVA/Harlem
• New Mexico: KCIE/Dulce, KABR/Alamo, KTDB/Pine Hill, KSHI/Zuni
• North Dakota: KEYA/Belcourt, KMHA/New Town, KABU/St. Michael
• Oregon: KWSO/Warm Springs, KCUW/Pendleton
• South Dakota: KILI/Porcupine, KLND/McLaughlin, KDKO/Lake Andes, KOYA/Rosebud
• Wisconsin: WOJB/Hayward

• Alabama: WJAB/Normal, WVAS/Montgomery
• Georgia: WCLK/Atlanta
• Mississippi: WJSU/Jackson, WURC/Holly Springs, WPRL/Lorman
• Missouri: KJLU/Jefferson City
• North Carolina: WNCU/Durham, WRVS/Elizabeth City, WSNC/Winston-Salem
• Ohio: WCSU/Wilberforce
• Texas: KTSU/Houston, KPVU/Prairie View
• South Carolina: WSSB/Orangeburg
• Virginia: WNSB/Norfolk