Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1544866
sagaftra.org | Spring 2026 | SAG -AF TR A 35 Broadcast News SAG-AFTRA Broadcasters Advocate for Public Media in California O n March 27, members of SAG‑AFTRA's San Diego Local joined Assemblymember Chris Ward for a press conference at KPBS, San Diego's flagship public media station, to highlight a legislative push for increased support for public media and local journalism jobs. The announcement focused on Ward's request for a one‑time state budget allocation of $80 million to help public media outlets cope with recent federal funding cuts and on California Assembly Bill 2222, a bill that would provide targeted tax incentives to encourage the hiring and retention of journalists in California. National Board member and San Diego resident Lou Slocum spoke about the recent threats to the broadcasting profession and expressed gratitude for the work being done by elected officials, saying, "All of us at SAG‑AFTRA are proud to stand with our colleagues at local stations nationwide, and we are grateful to Assemblymember Ward for his leadership and support." Previously, on Nov. 12, members of the California public media community participated in a hearing, also at KPBS, hosted by Ward and the California Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism. The discussion addressed ways to support public media after the loss of federal funding following Congress's passing of the Rescissions Act of 2025 on July 18. From left, Andrew Bowen, Ally Bacaj, Lara McCaffrey and Jack Speer. SAG‑AFTRA National Board and Broadcast Steering Committee member Jack Speer participated in the hearing as a panelist, providing specific statistics on how public media aids 213 counties in the United States that are "news deserts" and 1,500 counties with otherwise limited local news coverage. Additional panelists outlined the important work of local stations, such as SAG‑AFTRA member stations KCRW Santa Monica, PBS Southern California and KPBS San Diego. SAG‑AFTRA member leaders from the San Diego Local also spoke, reaffirming the union's support for its public media members and creative funding mechanisms to support the work of SAG‑AFTRA‑represented stations across the state. O n Feb. 25, SAG‑AFTRA condemned Nexstar Media Group's decision to eliminate SAG‑AFTRA positions at WGN‑TV in Chicago and lay off multiple journalists at KTLA in Los Angeles and at stations across the country. These cuts strike a serious blow to a trusted source of news and information on which these communities depend. At WGN in Chicago, the company has notified the union that eight SAG‑AFTRA members will be impacted as part of a reduction in force. At KTLA in Los Angeles, journalists represented by SAG‑AFTRA are also being laid off, deepening concerns about newsroom staffing levels in one of the nation's largest media markets. "By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news. These actions highlight the risks of media consolidation and underscore the urgent need for regulators and the company to prioritize the public interest and the professionals who serve it," said SAG‑AFTRA President Sean Astin. "Our members are trusted voices in their communities, and they deserve contracts that respect their work and safeguard their futures. SAG‑AFTRA will not stand by while the future of local news is put at risk. We will continue to fight for strong agreements that protect journalists and the audiences who rely on them every single day," said SAG‑AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree‑Ireland. These layoffs come as SAG‑AFTRA is actively bargaining with Nexstar stations in multiple markets. At the table, Nexstar is pushing to gut severance pay and insert onerous provisions into the union contract that limit workers' ability to freely negotiate the terms of their own employment. These reductions in SAG‑AFTRA talent also comes as Nexstar finalizes its multibillion‑dollar acquisition of Tegna. This consolidation makes the decision to cut local newsroom jobs particularly troubling. Local television stations are critical to how communities get their news. It cannot possibly be in the best interest of these communities to have fewer resources dedicated to local news. SAG-AFTRA Condemns Nexstar Layoffs at KTLA and WGN