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Jazz Congress 2026: The Future of Public Radio

The 2026 Jazz Congress took place January 7-8 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC
Dave Popkin
The 2026 Jazz Congress took place January 7-8 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC

2026 Jazz Congress at Jazz at Lincoln Center (January 8)

The Future of Public Radio Panel Discussion:

NPR, as well as both member and non-member public radio stations, have traditionally been significant supporters of jazz, locally and nationally. With so many drastic cuts in Federal funding, those stations are facing unprecedented fiscal challenges.

WBGO's President and CEO Steven A. Williams was one of the guests on the Future of Public Radio panel at the 2026 Jazz Congress in NYC
Dave Popkin
WBGO's President and CEO Steven A. Williams was one of the guests on the Future of Public Radio panel at the 2026 Jazz Congress in NYC

During this panel on Thursday, January 8, leaders in public radio discussed their strategies for staying strong in the face of economic uncertainty.

Moderator: Scott Hanley (WZUM/Pittsburgh Public Media) Panelists:

Steven A. Williams (WBGO), Bill Johnson (WRTI); Marta McLellan Ross (NPR); Ken Poston (KSDS)

Dave Popkin is a WBGO News/Music contributor, veteran sportscaster, educator and musician
Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998. Since then, Doug and his news staff have received more than 300 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.