NPR and PBS Funding being cut due to Trump’s Executive Order

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On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating federal funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), accusing the broadcasters of promoting “radical, woke propaganda disguised as news.” The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies to halt subsidies to PBS and NPR and to identify and eliminate indirect public financing for the organizations. The White House announced the decision on social media, claiming the outlets misuse millions in taxpayer funds to push biased narratives.

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The move is part of a broader pattern by the Trump administration to target institutions perceived as misaligned with its priorities. Since taking office, Trump has restructured leadership at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, slashed funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, and withheld federal grants from universities and law firms that maintain diversity programs he opposes. PBS and NPR, which collectively receive approximately $500 million annually through the CPB, have long been criticized by Republican lawmakers who argue their reporting leans left.

A Brief History of PBS and NPR

PBS was established in 1970 as a publicly funded, nonprofit broadcaster to provide educational and cultural programming. It succeeded the National Educational Television network, founded in 1952, and operates as a network of nearly 350 member stations. PBS is renowned for programs like Sesame Street, which has educated generations of children, and documentaries that explore American history and science. Its funding model combines federal support, private donations, and corporate sponsorships, with CPB grants accounting for about 15% of its budget.

NPR, founded in 1970 under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, serves as a publicly supported radio network with over 1,000 member stations. It produces acclaimed shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered, focusing on in-depth journalism and cultural storytelling. NPR receives roughly 10% of its funding from CPB grants, with the rest from listener donations, corporate underwriting, and grants. Both organizations have maintained bipartisan congressional support for decades, though they’ve faced recurring threats of defunding from conservative critics.

Context

The CPB, which oversees federal funding for public media, filed a lawsuit against Trump earlier this week after he attempted to remove three of its five board members, a move the CPB argued exceeded his authority and threatened its operations. Meanwhile, the White House recently proposed a $9.1 billion package of budget cuts, including CPB funding, though Congress has yet to receive the plan.

Trump’s efforts extend beyond domestic media. His administration has targeted the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, prompting legal challenges. Federal courts have blocked some of these actions, ruling that the administration overstepped its authority by withholding congressionally appropriated funds.

Implications

The executive order has sparked concerns about the future of public media in the U.S. PBS and NPR have been preparing for potential cuts since Trump’s election, but the outright elimination of federal funding could strain local stations, particularly in rural areas. Critics argue that defunding public media undermines access to noncommercial, educational content, while supporters of the order contend it curbs perceived ideological bias.

Via: Cord Cutters News

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