WAMU “can weather loss of federal funding,” reports Inside Radio

News/talk WAMU (88.5), the perennial radio ratings leader in Washington DC, “isn’t too worried about the impact of the Trump administration’s defunding of public media. The 64-year-old station estimates the recission will equate to a loss of $1.5 million annually or about 4-5% of its operating budget, according to a news story on WAMU’s website.” reports Inside Radio.

“We are not caught flat-footed, we have seen this coming and have been planning and preparing for it,” WAMU General Manager Erika Pulley-Hayes told Esther Ciammachilli, host of NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

“Like other public radio stations, WAMU has already seen an increase in listener donations as the recission became front page news. Pubcasters are letting listeners know now is the time to step up and donate. Messages like “your support matters,” “we need you” and “please support us at this critical time” have become widespread on public radio websites. But a spike in donations may not last once audience outrage abates,” reportsw Inside Radio,