Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Kerr has investigated NPR and PBS, which operate “banned” commercials.
Carr ordered a taxpayer-funded NPR and PBS investigation in early January, and believes that nonprofits are running commercials that are banned from airing.
“I'm worried that NPR and PBS broadcasts may be violating federal law by broadcasting commercials,” Carr I wrote it at that time. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that lead to banned commercial advertising across the line.”
Public broadcasters are prohibited from running commercials and often air corporate underwriting spots instead.
According to FCC sources, at the end of last week, the agency sent 15 enquiries letters, two, and 13 letters to NPR and PBS, hoping to learn more about their advertising and future underwriting practices.
These stations include Weta, Washington, DC, PBS Station, WAMU, American University NPR local affiliate in the DC area and WNYC, the New York City NPR affiliate for Big Apple.
“For myself, I have not seen why Congress should continue to send taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS, taking into account the changes in the media market,” Kerr continued.
It is not the only investigation the FCC has done since Carr led the telecommunications regulatory body.
In late February, the FCC opened a probe Verizon's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. He had previously launched a study on Comcast's DEI practices.
“To help resolve these issues, please contact the agent representative working on Verizon's pending transactions at the FCC,” Carr wrote.
Carr describes this type of DEI practice as “a mysterious form of discrimination” that could violate “FCC regulations and civil rights laws.”
Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him with x @seanmoran3.
