Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has taken new steps in his investigation into NPR and PBS. Carr thinks that the two NGOs have illegally aired commercials while accepting government funding. The news has provoked a major meltdown from the woke CEOs of each organization.
“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” Chairman Brendan Carr wrote on March 5, 2025, to the heads of NPR and PBS. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”
“For my own part, I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS given the changes in the media marketplace,” Carr concluded. Paula A. Kerger, the CEO of PBS said, “PBS is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations.
“We work diligently to comply with the FCC’s underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission,” concluded. Katherine Maher, President and CEO of NPR, issued a brief statement on the investigation. “NPR programming and underwriting messaging complies with federal regulations, including the FCC guidelines on underwriting messages for noncommercial educational broadcasters, and Member stations are expected to be in compliance as well,” she wrote.
We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR’s adherence to these rules. We have worked for decades with the FCC in support of noncommercial educational broadcasters who provide essential information, educational programming, and emergency alerts to local communities across the United States,” she concluded.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a Democratic appointee, said in a statement that Carr’s investigation was a source of “serious concern.” “Public television and radio stations play a significant role in our media ecosystem. Any attempt to intimidate these local media outlets is a threat to the free flow of information and the marketplace of ideas. The announcement of this investigation gives me serious concern,” he wrote.
On social media, conservative voices applauded the investigation. “Defund NPR. It should survive on its own,” posted Elon Musk on February 4, 2025. He attached a video of Katherine Maher, where she said, “I think our reverence for the Truth might be keeping us from finding consensus and getting things done. ” Conservative social media users were quick to back Musk’s point.
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“It’s astonishing that she said this out loud- but it’s also absolute honesty about what the Left believes: Truth can be no impediment to “progress,” noted radio host Buck Sexton.” NPR doesn’t follow a mandate of impartiality. It should not receive taxpayer funds. Many liberals would love to fund it privately and they should,” added Andy Ngo. “NPR breeds radical leftism. I’ve seen it firsthand. Every SF leftist listens to their drivel nonstop,” another account said.
Featured image from embedded post.