GBH is cutting employees at Boston public station: ‘We have been told nothing… it’s really disturbing’

GBH is laying off employees, Jim Braude announced on-air a couple months after the Boston public station had warned of cost-cutting moves.

Braude revealed only scant details at the start of Wednesday’s Boston Public Radio show from the Boston Public Library — emphasizing he only had limited info because employees were left in the dark.

“I should say upfront: This is going to be a really tough show for us today,” Braude said. “This morning, we learned of layoffs happening at GBH today, including in the newsroom.

“We have been told nothing by managers this morning. I repeat absolutely nothing,” he said, later adding, “It’s really disturbing… We know almost nothing.”

Back in March, GBH’s leader said the public station was looking at cost-cutting measures. Then earlier this week, GBH’s general manager for news Pam Johnston announced that she’s resigning after four years in the role.

GBH did not have an immediate statement about the layoffs.

“We just want our coworkers to know we care about them, and we will do whatever we can to help them in any way that we can,” Braude said on-air.

Co-host Margery Eagan added, “Ditto to everything you just said, Jim. I feel horrible, and my heart goes out to people who have lost their jobs.”

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GBH employees on social media were announcing they were let go.

“Today, I was part of layoffs at GBH,” posted Haley Lerner, associate producer for Arts and Culture at GBH News. “I’m shocked by this and am going to deeply mourn my 3+ years with GBH News. But, I’m so proud of the work I’ve done on the arts and culture beat… and hope to continue it elsewhere!”

Today, I was part of layoffs at GBH. I’m shocked by this and am going to deeply mourn my 3+ years with GBH News. But, I’m so proud of the work I’ve done on the arts and culture beat… and hope to continue it elsewhere!

— Haley Lerner (@haleylerner) May 22, 2024

During the fiscal year that ended last June, GBH’s total operating expenses were $288.3 million, while the station’s total operating revenue came in at $269.6 million — for a deficit of $18.6 million. The total decrease in net assets was $15.3 million.

“Costs associated with providing trusted local and national programs are increasing, due in part to overall economic inflation,” reads GBH’s annual report. “Support for GBH continues to be strong but has not kept pace with expense growth.”

These layoffs at GBH come after WBUR announced that Boston’s NPR station was laying off seven employees and 24 others were taking buyouts. WBUR’s on-air sponsorship income plummeted by about $7 million in recent years, and the station is looking to begin the next fiscal year with a budget that’s at least $4 million lower than this year.

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