NPR host Steve Inskeep returned to his hometown of Indianapolis to deliver a keynote address at the Indiana Economic Club luncheon on October 8 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, where he underscored the vital role of community-centered journalism and civil discourse.
Speaking to a room of business professionals, Inskeep reflected on the challenges facing public media in an era of deep political polarization and uncertainty over federal funding. He urged audience members to remain engaged with diverse viewpoints, even when they disagree.
A central theme of his talk was the value of locally grounded reporting and a commitment to factual accuracy. Amid the constant noise of social media commentary, he noted that “navigating the vast amount of information to find trustworthy sources” has become increasingly difficult.
He highlighted WFYI, Indianapolis’s public broadcasting station, as a model for how local journalism can remain rooted in and accountable to its community. “They’re embedded in the community, and answerable to it,” Inskeep said. “That kind of connection is essential. Public media can be especially impactful in rural areas, which have suffered disproportionately from funding cuts. If we can preserve these stations, they’ll play a key role in revitalizing local communities and strengthening civic bonds.”
On July 25, 2025, President Donald Trump signed legislation eliminating over $1 billion in federal support for public broadcasting. As a result, organizations like NPR and PBS are seeking alternative ways to maintain their services.
“My response to this period of upheaval is to embrace it and fulfill my responsibilities as a citizen,” Inskeep said. “We benefited from federal funding for decades, which was valuable, but it’s not a prerequisite for doing meaningful work. I intend to keep doing my best regardless.”
Smaller, rural broadcasters are expected to feel the impact of these cuts most acutely. While national networks like NPR have access to substantial donor bases, many local stations rely heavily on federal subsidies and lack comparable support systems. For many rural residents, these stations represent the only reliable source of news.
Gaby Whisler, a senior sports media major, expressed concern over the funding reductions, calling them detrimental to the journalism profession. “As a student, I believe the most important response is to raise awareness about what’s happening and why it matters,” she said. “The more we speak out, the greater our chance of effecting change.”
Inskeep also drew from his book, “Differ We Must,” which explores Abraham Lincoln’s dialogues with political opponents, to emphasize the importance of engaging with differing perspectives.
“There’s merit in listening to people who are unlike yourself,” he said. “We live in a vast, complex world where media exposes us to individuals who may seem incomprehensible—a level of exposure previous generations never experienced.”
He described listening not as an act of agreement, but as a fundamental aspect of reporting that fosters understanding. “Engaging in more conversations and practicing better listening is immensely valuable. It might change your perspective. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll gain insights that help you navigate differences—or, if you’re on opposing sides, even outmaneuver them. Understanding the other side is always worthwhile.”
Bob Schultz, faculty director at the Butler Institute of Sports and Entertainment, echoed Inskeep’s views on nonpartisan reporting. “I deeply respect his belief that everyone has a story, an opinion, and the right to express it,” Schultz said.
He added that public broadcasting serves a crucial educational function, calling it “an open classroom for the nation.”
Reflecting on Inskeep’s message, Schultz recalled a quote by Philip Graham of The Washington Post that captures the essence of journalism: “It’s the first rough draft of history.”
Inskeep concluded by reaffirming journalism’s role in serving the public interest. “We are citizens acting on behalf of other citizens, and we’ll continue as long as the public stands behind us,” he said.
Support for public media can take many forms, including listening, reading, or contributing financially to local news outlets.
— news from The Butler Collegian
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Indiana Economic Club luncheon invites speaker Steve Inskeep
Steve Inskeep returned to his hometown of Indianapolis to speak at an Indiana Economic Club luncheon. Photo courtesy of Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame. Graphic by Ollie Fitzgerald. n nELLA HALL | STAFF REPORTER | erhall@butler.edu n nELLIOT MUEHLHAUSEN | STAFF REPORTER | emuehlhausen@butler.edu n nNPR host Steve Inskeep emphasized the importance of community-based journalism and civic dialogue as this month’s speaker for the Economic Club of Indiana’s luncheon on Oct. 8 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. n nInskeep reflected on challenges that modern journalism faces — in a time where the future of public media is uncertain — amidst deepening political divisions. He encouraged the business leaders attending the event to continue engaging with information, even when they disagree with what is being said. n nOne thing Inskeep emphasized was the importance of locally-sourced media and a dedication to centering the facts. With social media fueling constant commentary, he reminded listeners that “finding credible information amid such a mass of it” has become more of a challenge. n nWFYI was one organization Inskeep highlighted as an example of how local journalism should be sustained. n n“They’re in the community, and they are accountable to the community,” Inskeep said. “That is really valuable. I think that public media can be especially valuable in rural areas… Rural public radio and TV stations have been hit really hard because they depended more on the subsidies, but if we can sustain them — if they can stay — they will be part of strengthening or reviving a lot of rural communities and fostering a greater sense of community.” n nOn July 25, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a bill cutting more than $1 billion of government spending for public broadcasting. Stations like NPR and PBS are now trying to find ways to continue to serve their audiences. n n“My attitude toward this moment of change and turmoil really is to embrace it and to do my job as a citizen,” Inskeep said. “We were very fortunate to have federal support for many, many years, and that’s great, but it’s not required to have a subsidy to do your job as an American, and I’m going to do the best that I can.” n nThe media groups that will feel these cuts most are local, rural broadcast stations. As Inskeep explained, NPR and larger broadcasts have lots of donor support, but rural areas do not receive the same assistance. Local broadcasts are extremely important for rural communities, sometimes being the only form of reliable media available. n nSenior sports media major Gaby Whisler was disappointed to hear about these cuts, saying that she thinks they will “hurt journalism overall.” n n“For me, as a student, I think the biggest thing [to combat this issue] is talking about [how] this is happening in our country, [and why] it is a problem,” Whisler said. “I think the more that we speak up about it, [the more we] can make an impact.” n nIn his speech, Inskeep also highlighted relevant elements in his book, “Differ We Must”, detailing Abraham Lincoln’s debates with those who opposed him. n n“There is value in engaging with people who are different from yourself,” Inskeep said. “We live in this really big, really complicated world where social media and other kinds of media bring us in contact with all kinds of people who seem incomprehensible to us and prior generations just never met those people.” n nInskeep framed listening as an integral component of reporting, and not necessarily as something that requires agreement, but involves an ability to understand. n n“Talking to people a little more [and] listening a little better, is really valuable,” Inskeep said. “They may change your mind. Even if they don’t change your mind, you may learn something that helps you figure out how to deal with them, or if they’re on the other side of you politically, how to beat them. It’s valuable to learn about the other side.” n nBob Schultz, the faculty director for Butler Institute of Sports and Entertainment, agreed with Inskeep’s ideas on nonpartisan journalism. n n“I loved [Inskeep’s] philosophy that everyone has a story, everyone has an opinion [and] everyone has a right to an opinion,” Schultz said. n nHe added that public broadcasting serves an important role in civic education, referring to it as “an open classroom for the nation.” n nReflecting on Inskeep’s message, Schultz was reminded of one of his favorite quotes, from Philip Graham of The Washington Post, that captures the essence of why conversations like this matter: “journalism is the first rough draft of history.” n nInskeep emphasized journalism’s role in the public sector. n n“We are members of the public acting in the public interest for our fellow members of the public, and we’ll continue doing it, as long as the public supports us,” Inskeep said. n nIndividuals can continue supporting public media by reading, listening or donating to local news organizations.