President Donald Trump has issued an executive order that puts a halt to funding for PBS and NPR, citing concerns about political bias in taxpayer-funded organizations.
The order demands that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) “cease federal funds for NPR and PBS” and prevent other public funds from going to these organizations. Specifically, it states:
Americans deserve to know that if their taxes are used to support public broadcasting, it should reflect fair, accurate, and unbiased news coverage. Media outlets don’t have a constitutional right to taxpayer funding. The government has the authority to determine what types of subsidies are issued. The governing law for the CPB emphasizes fairness. It mandates that the CPB “must not contribute to or support political parties.” 47 USC 396(f)(3); see also ID. 396(e)(2).
The CPB cannot meet these standards if it continues to fund NPR and PBS because their coverage is not fair or impartial. Thus, we instruct the CPB Board and all related agencies to suspend federal funding for NPR and PBS.
According to the Associated Press, NPR and PBS are facing nearly “$5 billion” in potential budget cuts due to Trump’s administration since his election.
The public broadcasters have filed a lawsuit against Trump, claiming he has overstepped his authority by trying to remove three out of five board members, which would disrupt the necessary quorum for operation.
PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger stated last month that cutting federal funding would “jeopardize the essential services PBS and its local affiliates provide to the public.” She emphasized the importance of bipartisan support from Congress, noting that, “This collaboration allows millions of children to succeed in school and life with high-quality programming.”
