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Buckle Up, Arthur! FCC Launches Investigation into PBS, NPR

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under President Donald Trump has launched an investigation into two media outlets: the National Public Radio (NPR) and PBS. The investigation is over concerns that the stations may be airing “prohibited commercial advertisements,” as reported by the New York Times.

“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” FCC chair Brendan Carr said in a letter obtained by the Times. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”

According to FCC regulations, businesses are able to support noncommercial radio and television stations, like the ones under investigation, via on-air announcements – otherwise known as underwriting sponsorship. While it is similar to normal commercial advertising, it has additional FCC regulations that don’t normally apply to routine radio and television ads.

Trending Politics reports:

On Wednesday, Carr sent letters to NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger, according to the report. Carr has been a member of the FCC since 2017 and was most recently tapped by President Trump to lead the commission during his second term in the White House.

In the letter, Carr explained that he will be notifying Congress about the investigation. He further noted that lawmakers are currently debating whether NPR or PBS should receive any taxpayer funding at all. “In particular, Congress is actively considering whether to stop requiring taxpayers to subsidize NPR and PBS programming,” he wrote, according to the New York Times.

“To the extent that these taxpayer dollars are being used to support a for profit endeavor or an entity that is airing commercial advertisements, then that would further undermine any case for continuing to fund NPR and PBS with taxpayer dollars,” the letter continued.

In response, NPR CEO Katherine Maher stated that her outlet’s sponsorship practice “complies with federal regulations.”

“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,” when asked for comment, Maher told Fox News.

“We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR’s adherence to these rules,” she continued. “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.”

Trump has expressed the desire to pull public funding from the media outlet on several occasions. In April 2024, he posted to Truth Social, “NO MORE FUNDING FOR NPR, A TOTAL SCAM!” He added, “THEY ARE A LIBERAL DISINFORMATION MACHINE. NOT ONE DOLLAR!!!”

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