Editorial: KFSK should broadcast signal to Wrangell

Lack of support from KSTK public radio listeners and businesses in Wrangell may bring ownership changes to the station. A public notice published in last week’s Wrangell Sentinel foreshadows the transfer of radio station assets to CoastAlaska in Juneau. CoastAlaska provides administrative support and other services for seven Southeast public radio stations including KSTK.

Reductions in grant revenue and local donations, has made the station’s financial situation untenable.

We’re not convinced that moving the station’s operations to CoastAlaska is going to improve the station’s outlook.

We think a better option is to have Petersburg’s KFSK signal broadcast in both communities. Both stations already re-broadcast news stories from each community on a regular basis and there are topics of broad common interest to both boroughs including news from SEAPA, the U.S. Forest Service, commercial fishing and fish processing, the Alaska Marine Highway System and all matters involving the Stikine River.

It would make sense for a couple of KSTK employees to draw their paychecks from KFSK and have the current Petersburg manager oversee those employees, thus avoiding the need for duplicate management positions.

Public radio is big business in Wrangell and Petersburg. Both stations operated on revenue sources of just under a million dollars in FY 2016. That is a lot of money considering the Petersburg/Wrangell market combined cannot support a privately owned radio station.

KSTK reports assets of about $726,000, many of which may be needed to get KFSK’s signal to Wrangell.

Consolidated operations would bring efficiencies to both stations and ensure continued broadcasts to both communities. Most importantly, it would show state and federal funding sources that the stations are seeking alternative ways to save money during tight fiscal times.

Public radio cannot maintain stations in each small Alaskan community, but with today’s technology it’s possible to transmit programming to a wider audience that can include Wrangell and other neighboring communities.