The Indiana General Assembly’s unexpected defunding of public broadcasting stations in the final hours of its budget session last month will mean about a 30% cut to Lakeshore Public Media, based in Merrillville.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week ordering the defunding of PBS and National Public Radio, calling their programming slanted and “woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’ ”

Trump’s order is being challenged by supporters and called unlawful since funding is the duty of Congress, not the president.

Chuck Roberts, president and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media, said its TV and radio stations are bracing for challenges. Lakeshore is one of 17 public radio and TV stations in Indiana.

“We are trying to take steps to make sure public media continues in Northwest Indiana,” he said.“Everything is on the table… to say we’re stressed around here is an understatement,” Roberts said Monday.

The GOP-led legislature opted to cut public broadcasting’s $7.4 million two-year line item after it received a revenue forecast predicting a $2.4 billion budget shortfall in the final weeks of the session, which ended April 25.

In a statement, Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations Inc., said 17 public broadcasting stations that serve 95% of Hoosiers deliver reliable journalism, lifelong learning programs, and vital public safety information, free of charge to Indiana residents.

“This funding rollback jeopardizes the ability of these stations to continue delivering these services at the scale and quality Hoosiers expect and rely on.

“This is not just a line item cut,” said Newman, “This decision has real consequences for our ability to provide timely local news, life-saving emergency alerts, and proven educational content that supports children, families, and seniors across Indiana.”

Roberts said if Congress heeds Trump’s executive order, it would wipe out 50% of Lakeshore’s budget, jeopardizing programming and jobs.

“It’s a very tenuous time, not only for Lakeshore Media, but all public media. It means the public and community members are the most important source of revenue.”

Asking the community for more money is difficult, Roberts said, with budgets tightening over the country’s economic uncertainty.

“Anyone with a job… they don’t know how far their dollar will go. Everyone is afraid to spend or donate money,” he said.

Roberts, who’s led Lakeshore Public Media for two years, said the 17 public media outlets across the state are having talks about how to weather the funding crisis. There could be program collaborations or mergers.

Rural areas with fewer viewers and less resources could be hit the hardest. Many in those communities don’t have broadband access.

The cuts come as public media finds itself in the culture crosshairs, fending off claims they’re leftist organizations foisting their political agendas on viewers and listeners.

Roberts defended his profession.

“A journalist never says ‘I think and I feel.’ ”

He said journalists give facts on issues and viewers can make their own decisions.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.