Tuesday, August 19

The Bay Agenda: The Future of Public Media

A live broadcast town hall conversation about the local & national implications of devastating federal funding cuts to public broadcasting.

By KALW Public Media

Date and time

Location

220 Montgomery St

220 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 1 days before event.

Agenda

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Doors & Open Decks

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Panel

8:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Community Mixer

About this event

Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Join KALW Public Media for The Bay Agenda: The Future of Public Media, a live broadcast town hall conversation about the local and national implications of a devastating federal funding cut to public broadcasting.

Earlier this summer, Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in already-approved public media funding, a move that will cost KALW over $400,000 annually and put core programs like Crosscurrents, Your Call, Uncuffed, and Audio Academy at risk.

This moment is more than a budget crisis. It’s a signal. The defunding of local public media is part of a broader national trend; a targeted attempt to weaken independent journalism, shrink civic discourse, and undercut the public’s access to trusted, non-commercial information.

KALW Executive Director James Kass will lead a conversation on what this means for the Bay Area media ecosystem and the future of public media as a whole. Together with media professionals, public radio listeners, and local change-makers, we’ll explore the path forward for those who believe in a well-informed and connected public.

Please join us for this crucial town hall conversation about the future of journalism, public service, and civic engagement.

RSVP required.

This event will also be broadcast live on 91.7FM and streamed online on our app and at KALW.org.

Your RSVP includes admission to Open Decks: Community Art in Motion, a collaborative art exhibition and cultural program featuring original art by 100 Bay Area artists on skateboard decks. Open Decks is on view from July 24 - September 19, 2025.

There is a $10 - $20 sliding scale suggested donation for this event. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

Please become a KALW member today and receive your first drink on us at all 220 Montgomery events.

📍 220 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 2 blocks from BART/MUNI

🚪 Reception doors open at 6:00

🗣️ Program begins at 7:00

🆓 The event is free with an RSVP — and you are welcome to donate what you want

Please note:

The event space is just to the left of the main entrance to the Mills Building at 220 Montgomery Street
We recommend taking BART/MUNI, exiting at Montgomery, and walking two blocks north
Ride-shares can drop off and pick up directly in front of the venue
If you drive, there are several garages within two blocks of the event location; free street parking is available across from the venue at 7:00 pm

Organized by

KALW Public Media

Drop into our studio events and gallery space at 220 Montgomery for art, culture, and narrating the Bay.

KALW’s events space is a hub for independent journalism, civic engagement and public discourse—right in the heart of San Francisco. We’ve activated 220 Montgomery Street with over 150 interactive events including town hall conversations with local leaders, concerts with internationally renowned bands, DJs, and artists, panels with writers, activists, and filmmakers, and much more.