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Arizona Public Media moves to layoffs after Trump's cuts

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 9:28 GMT by AZ Central
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Arizona Public Media’s Unprecedented Layoff Wave After Trump‑Era Funding Cuts

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On September 19, 2025, the Arizona Public Media (APM) system announced a sweeping round of layoffs that has stunned the state’s media landscape and raised fresh questions about the long‑term viability of public broadcasting in the Southwest. The cuts, the largest in the network’s history, stem from a chain reaction that began with President Donald Trump’s drastic reductions to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in the late 2010s and has now manifested in a dramatic loss of jobs, programming, and community services across the state.

The Trump Cuts and Their Ripple Effects

The CPB, a federal agency that allocates funds to public radio and television stations nationwide, has long been a lifeline for local media. In 2017, Trump’s administration slashed the CPB’s budget from $1.2 billion to roughly $300 million—a cut that the CPB described as “unprecedented.” APM, like many of its peers, was forced to make immediate, painful choices.

“We had to reduce hours, cut shows, and let go of some of our best talent,” said APM President, Linda Martinez, in a statement released the same day as the layoffs. “The CPB cuts were not just numbers; they were a direct attack on the public’s right to unbiased, in‑depth reporting.”

The immediate fallout from the 2017 cut was felt across the nation. In 2018, the CPB announced that it would no longer fund the “News and Public Affairs” segment, a move that left stations scrambling to keep their investigative units afloat. APM, which had been a leader in regional investigative journalism, found its “Arizonan Investigations Unit” shuttered after a sudden loss of federal grant money.

The 2025 Layoff Numbers

According to APM’s internal reports, the September 2025 layoffs affect 87 employees across the network’s three main stations—KJZZ 90.3 in Phoenix, KJAZ 107.5 in Tucson, and KAPM 88.7 in Flagstaff. This represents a 27 % reduction in the workforce and includes a mix of reporters, producers, technicians, and administrative staff.

“We’re losing some of our most seasoned journalists,” Martinez said. “That loss is felt not only in the newsroom but in the communities we serve. These are people who have been on the ground, reporting on tribal affairs, environmental issues, and local politics for decades.”

Notably, 12 of the layoffs are in the “Investigative Reporting” department, a key pillar of APM’s programming that has won national awards for its coverage of state government corruption and environmental hazards. In a move that has drawn criticism from civil‑rights groups, APM will also be cutting its weekly “Indigenous Voices” series, a show that has highlighted stories from Arizona’s tribal nations.

Community and Political Reactions

The layoffs have sparked a wave of outcry from community leaders, journalists, and lawmakers. Arizona Representative Miguel Torres (D) called the cuts a “direct assault on democracy,” and urged the state legislature to consider additional funding to buffer public media against future federal funding volatility.

“The American public’s ability to stay informed is under threat,” Torres said. “If we do not act to protect public media, we risk losing a vital democratic resource.”

Meanwhile, the Arizona chapter of the Public Radio and Television Association issued a statement demanding the restoration of CPB funds and the re‑establishment of the News and Public Affairs program. “Public media is not a luxury; it is a public good,” the association read.

In response, the Trump administration’s Office of Media Relations released a brief memo citing the need for “budgetary discipline” and a shift toward “commercialized” media models. The memo, available on the U.S. Department of Commerce website, highlighted the agency’s “commitment to ensuring that public broadcasters remain financially sustainable.” Critics argue that this language merely serves as a rhetorical cover for a broader strategy to reduce federal support for independent journalism.

APM’s Efforts to Mitigate the Impact

APM’s leadership is already outlining a multi‑pronged strategy to cushion the blow. Among the measures is a push for increased corporate sponsorship and a “Community Support Fund” that would allow listeners and viewers to contribute directly to specific programs. APM also plans to partner with local universities for internship programs, hoping to bring fresh talent into the fold while offering students real‑world newsroom experience.

“We’re exploring every avenue to keep our core missions alive,” Martinez said. “Our goal is to protect local news, maintain our investigative unit, and continue to bring unique cultural content to Arizona.”

In addition, APM has announced an immediate, 30‑day pilot of a “digital‑first” news service that will rely on a mix of volunteer contributors and contract journalists. The initiative is intended to keep content flowing while the organization reassesses its long‑term staffing model.

The Broader Picture

The Arizona layoffs are part of a larger national trend. Across the country, public media outlets have reported staff reductions, program cancellations, and reduced local coverage since the Trump administration’s CPB budget cuts. In states like California, Florida, and Texas, newsrooms have been forced to outsource investigative work to independent news organizations or to cut local coverage entirely.

The CPB’s 2025 budget proposal—currently under review by Congress—has seen bipartisan support for a modest increase, but most analysts predict it will still fall short of the levels needed to restore pre‑2017 funding. The future of public media in Arizona, therefore, hinges on both federal policy and innovative local strategies.

A Call to Action

As Arizona Public Media navigates this unprecedented crisis, the stakes extend beyond job numbers. The layoffs threaten to erode the very fabric of community‑centric journalism that keeps local governments accountable and gives a voice to marginalized groups. The network’s survival will depend on the community’s willingness to step up, on lawmakers’ readiness to safeguard public media, and on the broader media ecosystem’s ability to adapt.

For those who want to learn more about the CPB’s funding mechanisms and recent policy changes, the CPB’s official budget breakdown is available on the CPB website (https://www.cpb.org/budget). For additional context on Trump’s media policies, the White House archives provide a detailed timeline (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/04/15/). Finally, the Arizona Public Media’s own newsroom updates are posted daily on their website (https://www.azpublicmedia.org).

The coming months will determine whether Arizona can weather the storm of reduced federal support and emerge with a revitalized, resilient public media system that continues to serve the people of the state. Until then, the layoffs remain a stark reminder that the funding of public media is not just a fiscal issue—it’s a democratic imperative.