Public media is a “community company” that is committed to “community relations,” according to Anthony Padgett, general manager of WOSU in central Ohio.
Padgett was the featured speaker at a joint meeting of the Mansfield Rotary and Kiwanis Nov. 25, where he discussed the challenges and opportunities in public media over the past several years.
Federal and state funding cuts this year have cost the company about $2.5 million, but through resilience and a strong commitment to the public, WOSU has maintained most of its programming and forged new relationships to carry it forward.
“About a year and a half ago, we started talking about how we could prepare this organization to continue to tell stories into the future,” he said. “That’s what we do — we’re story tellers and we want to tell our central Ohio stories in a meaningful way that can be accessed throughout the state, in a voice that is authentic.”
One solution was the “Storytellers Trust,” a new initiative funded by community members who believe in the power of stories, local voices and masterful storytelling. This initiative has already led to the creation of the “Earthworks Digital Video Series,” which will premiere on WOSU’s YouTube channel in the fall, and “New Perspectives: From Bach to Biggle,” which brings a new perspective to classical music on the radio program Classical 101.
Rural upbringing
Padgett joined WOSU as general manager in 2023, following a productive career in public media in South Carolina and Georgia. He recounted his rural upbringing in North Carolina, and how he watched PBS at his grandparents’ home after school.
“Through my access to public media, it kind of opened my eyes to a different world,” he said. “It exposed me to things that I didn’t see in my day to day … it allowed me to see lot at things with a different perspective.”
In addition to funding cuts, WOSU is also adapting to the changing media landscape – with a growing population of people who watch TV over the internet. WOSU is available online, via cable and satellite, and through antenna.
Padgett said the funding cuts were felt and are still being felt, but he said his staff is committed to telling stories that matter, and finding new ways to work with communities, build trust and remain resilient.
“We really do believe that this is a time of partnership like we have never seen before, borne out of necessity but also out of potential for relationships,” he said. “It’s our relationship to the community that ties us and binds us to the places where we are, to the people we know and to the things that we can have an impact on.”
Public service
Padgett was invited to speak by Rotarian Cindy Wood, the director of development and community events at Ohio State Mansfield.
“Annually, rotary and Kiwanis join together as a mutual sprit of service to others in advancing service above self,” said Wood. “Both organizations focus on service to the community, which fits well with Anthony’s message.
Jason Opal, dean and director at Ohio State Mansfield, said Padgett is very aware and respectful of the challenges and opportunities of public media in today’s world, and is ideally situated to lead WOSU.
“I enjoyed hearing Anthony talk about the importance of quality public media in his own childhood, in rural North Carolina,” said Opal. “He wants to bring that same resource—adapted, of course, to current and emerging technologies—to everyone in central Ohio. All of this makes him the right person for a big job.”