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PBS and NPR on edge over FCC letter and Trump budget scrutiny

BBG News

Four decades back, the Reagan administration encouraged PBS to explore methods for boosting funds for public television without relying solely on taxpayer money.

It did.

In response to the challenge, PBS chose to elevate how they recognized their sponsors by allowing corporate supporters to display messages that resembled regular advertisements, rather than just showing company logos prior to their programming.

The aforementioned procedure has been instrumental in maintaining shows like “Nova,” “Masterpiece,” and Ken Burns’ documentaries. However, this practice is now being reviewed by Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr argues that these spots exceed the boundaries into forbidden commercial promotions.

In a letter dated January 30th, addressed to both PBS and NPR (which additionally carry corporate advertisements), Carr expressed his approval for the discontinuation of federal financing for public broadcasting.

He expressed his view that it doesn’t seem necessary for Congress to keep funding NPR and PBS with taxpayer money, given the variety of media options accessible to the public.

For years, conservative politicians have advocated reducing financial aid for PBS and NPR, claiming they propagate liberal ideologies. Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) has recently proposed a bill, which he terms the “Defund Government-Backed Biased Reporting Act,” aiming to discontinue federal support for these broadcasting entities.

Since the times of the Nixon presidency, Republican-led governments have consistently attempted to reduce government funding. However, with the advent of the DOGE era under President Trump, who has allowed Elon Musk considerable autonomy in reshaping the federal budget, Carr’s call for action seems more pressing.

Jeff McCall, a professor from DePauw University, noted that “Carr addressing this issue so promptly as chairman indicates his strong commitment to it.” This sets it apart.

Recently, Carr has been criticizing PBS and NPR, stations licensed by the government, and their owners. This criticism aligns with Trump’s negative sentiments towards media organizations that provide critical coverage of him.

– Carr is now going after PBS and NPR, both licensed by the government, and their owners. His attacks mirror Trump’s displeasure with mainstream media outlets that give him unfavorable coverage.
– In his latest move, Carr has been lashing out at PBS and NPR, who have government licenses, along with their proprietors. This action lines up with Trump’s antagonism towards news outlets that report on him critically.

After assuming the role of chairman, Carr has reopened bias allegations towards CBS, ABC, and NBC regarding their coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign following its dismissal by the Biden administration. He initiated a public investigation into a news distortion complaint against CBS concerning the editing of an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris before the election on “60 Minutes.

A conservative, non-governmental legal organization known as the Center for American Rights lodged grievances against CBS, ABC, and NBC.

In a letter dated January 30th, Carr did not provide any instances that demonstrated Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) or National Public Radio (NPR) breaching the regulations applicable to public broadcasters.

In an interview, PBS President Paula Kerger stated, “Our vision has been to secure a modest amount of government funding, followed by philanthropic contributions and finally backed up by corporate support.” She also mentioned that they have collaborated with the FCC to ensure their actions align with what the FCC expects from them in terms of compliance.

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Since becoming the president and CEO of PBS in 2006, Paula Kerger has made a point of visiting 49 different U.S. states.

Katherine Maher, the president and CEO of NPR (National Public Radio), which produces “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” affirmed that the organization has strictly followed the Federal Communications Commission’s regulations regarding underwriting announcements in a public statement.

When it comes to potential changes in federal financing for PBS, Kerger is accustomed to taking on a defensive role whenever a fresh presidential administration assumes office.

Kerger stated, “I don’t take it for granted that our government funding will carry on as it has been. I believe we need to argue annually for the significance of public media.

Kerger pointed out that a large portion of government funding is channeled directly to locally-run and managed TV stations that are part of the PBS network. The $595 million proposed for the upcoming budget allocation to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, an entity responsible for distributing public funds to these stations, is particularly important for broadcast outlets in rural regions, which tended to support Trump in the elections.

Kerger stated that these stations have smaller budgets, and a large portion of their funding often comes from the government. In some cases, up to 40-50% of their funding comes directly from federal appropriations. This is why we advocate for this specific funding because without it, these stations would likely not survive.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve always kept an ear close to the ground when it comes to local television stations. In my experience, during her tenure, Kerger has shown particular care for smaller towns like Cookeville, Tenn., where PBS stations broadcast free over-the-air programming. This service is invaluable for residents who can’t afford pay TV subscriptions or reliable broadband for streaming content.

Moreover, these stations serve as a crucial backup for the wireless emergency alert system, providing essential information like weather warnings and Amber alerts that keep our communities safe. It’s this kind of thoughtful commitment to community service that makes PBS truly shine.

In Kerger’s words, “The requirements of Cookeville differ from those of New York City.” He further explained, “In the case of a state like Florida, our television stations maintain an extensive system for disseminating information to people. This isn’t just during a storm, but also throughout the entire duration of the storm.

Charities operating radio and television broadcasting services for the public are asking their supporters (donors and listeners) to contact their respective members of Congress, advocating against any proposed reductions. The financial backing for public media has endured due to cross-party cooperation.

PBS SoCal and others are promoting Protect My Public Media Day on March 6 to rally support.

Stations are utilizing data from a recent survey conducted by YouGov and funded by PBS, which indicates that a majority of Trump supporters endorse government financing for this particular service. Remarkably, about 65% of these individuals believe the existing funding levels are either appropriate or insufficient.

Although public media has successfully resisted budget reductions in the past, McCall thinks that PBS and NPR should prepare themselves for a tenacious Carr as their leader.

Regardless of whether a president was Republican or not, I believe the FCC chairs never seemed particularly eager to handle issues like these,” he commented.

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2025-02-21 14:32

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