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Trump's public media cuts hit rural outlets hard

Benjamin Alvarez Gruber | Nils Hünerfürst in Virginia, USA

When he revoked a billion dollars in public media funding, US President Donald Trump targeted NPR and PBS. However, small radio stations providing local news and information for rural communities are likely to be hit hardest.

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Allegheny Mountain Radio is a small network serving rural Virginia and West Virginia. It provides vital local news, emergency alerts and community updates.

However, with 65% of its budget coming from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the network is now facing closure after US President Donald Trump revoked federal funding for public media.

In areas with limited phone or internet access, radio is often the only source of lifesaving information, and staff like Scott Smith are fighting to keep it alive.