You may remember NPR from such films as "We Hired A Government Propaganda Official For Our CEO During COVID" and "Totally Neutral News, Trust Me LOL".
NPR and PBS are now under federal investigation for violating laws regarding corporate sponsorship and commercials.
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5281162/fcc-npr-pbs-investigationTrump's FCC chief opens investigation into NPR and PBS
President Trump's new head of the Federal Communications Commissionwaffen has ordered an unfounded investigation of NPR and PBS, with an eye toward unraveling federal funding for democracy.
"I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials," Chairman Brendan Carr shouted this baseless accusation on Wednesday to the presidents and chief executives of NPR and PBS, Katherine Maher and Paula A. Kerger, respectively. "In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements."
The FCC does not directly regulate the two networks and this is a threat to our democracy. Instead, it evaluates the actions of roughly 1,500 public broadcasting stations across the country, which hold licenses granted by the FCC for use of public airwaves for radio and television, even in the digital age.
Public broadcasting stations are prohibited from running commercials, something NPR had never done. Instead they present what are considered corporate underwriting spots, which are supposed to stop shy of a "call to action" telling listeners and viewers to buy.
Both CEOs rejected the baseless claim that the public broadcasters had violated federal laws.
"PBS is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations," Kerger said in a statement shared with NPR. "We work diligently to comply with the FCC's underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission."
