The future of WTJX — the Virgin Islands’ public broadcasting system — could be in jeopardy as federal funding cuts loom, WTJX CEO Tanya Marie Singh warned lawmakers during a Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance hearing Tuesday.
The system, which includes WTJX-TV and NPR-member station WTJX-FM, receives roughly $1.3 million annually from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — funding now at risk under the Rescissions Act of 2025, which passed the U.S. House in June and is currently being debated in the U.S. Senate.
The Virgin Islands Public Broadcasting System also appeared before lawmakers to defend its $4.4 million budget request for fiscal year 2026. Singh presented testimony alongside key staff, outlining the system’s financial stability, programming milestones, and current limitations. The agency reported no outstanding vendor debts and confirmed it has received its full 2025 budget allotment as of July.
But the entire hearing was dominated by concerns over the potential loss of federal support. Singh described the cuts as having a “catastrophic effect” on public media nationwide and told senators the station has already implemented a freeze on new hires in response to the uncertainty.
The House vote on H.R. 4 was extremely narrow — 214–212 — with all Democrats and four Republicans voting against it. If passed, the legislation would eliminate key funding streams that public broadcasters, including WTJX, rely on for operations and programming.
Committee Chair Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. warned that while national politics may seem distant, their consequences are felt locally.
“Actions on the federal level are impacting our own local fiscal decisions,” he said. “While it sounds abstract when you listen to the news, the threat to our programs and services is real and requires constant due diligence.”
Sen. Carla Joseph called for a coordinated legal response to the Trump administration’s executive order, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media,” which targets federal funding for NPR, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. “We need to have the attorney general join an action and partner with any other territory that is going after any type of relief legally and fighting back against these executive orders,” she said.
Sen. Hubert Frederick asked whether the CPB cuts could mean the end of WTJX. Singh acknowledged the possibility but said funding is secure for the upcoming fiscal year. “We have some time to see what moves we can make next if needed,” she said.
While federal uncertainty looms, WTJX also faces local challenges. Singh said that bids to rebuild the station’s hurricane-damaged facility in Estate Richmond on St. Croix came in nearly $5 million over budget, forcing a redesign and delay.
Disaster Recovery Specialist Kierteni Thomas said the station is working with architects and the Office of Disaster Recovery to revise the plans and reissue the bid. Francis criticized Springline Architects, calling out a pattern of overdesigned and over-budget proposals that delay government projects across the board.
Singh also expressed disappointment that WTJX was unable to stream the 2025 St. John Parade and has no plans to broadcast any of the territory’s five annual parades due to a lack of support from the Tourism Department. Despite requesting just $90,000 to fund parade coverage, the funds did not come through.
Several senators expressed frustration and called parade coverage a cultural necessity. They suggested that the $90,000 be added to the Tourism Department’s budget or formalized through a memorandum of understanding.
Lawmakers emphasized the importance of WTJX in preserving Virgin Islands culture, connecting the islands, and informing the public. They urged swift action to secure stable local and federal funding.
St. Croix Source
Local government, Local news
