President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at cutting federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), accusing them of biased reporting and propagating what he termed as “left-wing propaganda.”
The big picture: The executive order directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), responsible for funding public broadcasters in the U.S., to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS within the parameters of the law. Notably, most of NPR and PBS’s funding comes from donors and sponsors, with a small portion sourced from Congress.
- Patricia Harrison, the president and CEO of CPB, stressed that CPB operates independently from the government, with Congress authorizing and funding it as a private nonprofit corporation distinct from federal oversight. This stance suggests that the president’s influence over CPB’s funding may be legally limited.
- In a White House document accompanying the executive order, the administration criticized NPR and PBS’s coverage of various topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden. Trump also directed federal agencies to prevent public broadcasters from using federal funds for NPR and PBS programs.
Driving the news: Executives from NPR and PBS testified before Congress, facing scrutiny over perceived liberal bias. The administration proposed that Congress rescind over $1 billion in funding for CPB over two years. Trump instructed CPB to halt existing direct funding as allowed by law and refrain from allocating future funds.
What they’re saying: Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, condemned Trump’s executive order as illegal, emphasizing PBS’s commitment to exploring options to maintain services to member stations and the public. NPR affirmed its editorial independence and depoliticized decision-making processes, distancing itself from external influence.
- NPR stated that defunding CPB would drastically impact American communities that rely on public radio for credible news, cultural content, emergency alerts, and public safety updates. Kerger highlighted that approximately 15% of public broadcasters’ budget stems from the federal government, distinguishing U.S. public broadcasting from state-supported entities in other countries.
Go deeper: NPR’s contingency planning highlighted the adverse consequences of a Treasury funding halt, outlining potential disruptions to radio broadcasts across the nation. While NPR receives only 1% of its budget from Congress, independent stations, and PBS faced greater vulnerability given their reliance on federal government funding.
- The CPB initiated legal action against the Trump administration for attempting to remove three board members without justification, leading to a lawsuit alleging illegal dismissal. The administration’s actions towards CPB and the ensuing legal battle underscored the significant political and financial implications of Trump’s executive order.
