As WisconsinEye goes dark, here’s what our state needs to see

After 18 years, the independent network providing unfiltered coverage of the state Capitol has shuttered, casting doubts on a plan that relies on charitable whims to cover state government.

The independent network that made sure legislators knew they were always being watched has officially gone dark. WisconsinEye ceased operations on Monday, Dec. 15, citing a lack of operating funds.

“WisEye.org is off the air,” reads a message posted to the site. “WisconsinEye’s website is unavailable.”

Since 2007, WisconsinEye has been to the Legislature what C-SPAN has been to Congress, a television conduit between elected officials and their constituents. Its archives — more than 30,000 hours of interview programs, events, and live coverage of the state Senate and Assembly — are no longer available. Without any state funding as an anchor, WisEye has relied on private donors to ensure stable, transparent coverage of Wisconsin government.

“Since the pandemic, the environment for philanthropy nationwide has changed rather dramatically,” said Jon Henkes, WisEye president and CEO. “Then you throw into that mix record-breaking political fundraising, and oftentimes WisconsinEye gets put in that same bucket. But we do not advocate for candidates or causes or campaigns. We’re that neutral ground. So we have to fight our way through that fog and distinguish ourselves for the transparency and the access that citizens need.”

Henkes said there is $9,750,000 in state funding set aside for WisconsinEye, but it can only be released as matching funds — and finding those matching funds has been a tall order since the pandemic.

Over the past 18 months, Henkes told UpNorthNews, WisconsinEye has prepared 52 significant donation requests worth $9.2 million total — and none of them were successful. 

“This funding model is no longer sustainable,” Henkes said, noting the lack of any financial commitment from state government — only occasional funds for ad hoc moments like replacing Capitol cameras.

“Over 18 years, there has been no annual support by the state for WisconsinEye; and that’s been by design,” he said. “This network was created as an independent entity so that whatever party was in power would not manipulate control of the network’s coverage or scheduled programming to its advantage.”

But having proved itself since its launch, lawmakers have been discussing ways to provide security for the network. One model involves the state funding an endowment, but Henkes notes it would take years for it to begin generating enough earnings to adequately fund part of their operations. In the meantime, legislators could remove the matching requirement from $1 million of the earmarked funds, which would allow WisconsinEye to operate for one year.

“The state has an opportunity to be part of the solution right now,” Henkes said.

Henkes said he is hopeful a solution can be reached and has been encouraged by about $50,000 in small-dollar gifts that have been made since the network told the public about its financial plight. Donor information for online and mailed gifts can be found on the WisEye.org website. As a 501(c)3 charity, WisEye donors’ gifts are tax deductible.