Journalist Roundtable: Public Media Reports on Itself as Federal Funding Disappears

• Asia Tabb
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
  Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.

One man, war journalist with digital camera at the place of action, in war zone.

Aired; August 1, 2025

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. 

With federal funding for public broadcasting officially eliminated, reporters at public media stations now face the unusual challenge of covering a story that hits close to home—their own financial future. On this week’s segment, we spoke with Sydney Roach from WPSU and Carmen Russell-Sluchansky from WHYY about how their newsrooms are navigating the tricky balance of objectivity and personal stake.

“Public media doesn’t often become the subject,” said Roach. “So we’re leaning into transparency—letting audiences see how these changes impact not just us, but the communities we serve.” Russell-Sluchansky echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of continuing to hold power accountable, even as the ground shifts beneath their feet: “We have to report the facts, even if we’re one of them.”