The head of the Federal Communications Commission informed NPR and PBS on Wednesday that the agency will probe whether messages aired by the taxpayer-funded broadcasters “cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”
“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr wrote in a letter to the heads of both outlets, according to NPR.
Carr, 46, explained that his specific concern is related to corporate underwriting announcements broadcast by NPR and PBS member stations, which may violate rules prohibiting public broadcasters from running commercials.
“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 FCC boss continued.
Carr indicated that he planned to share the results of the investigation with congressional lawmakers, who may pursue legislation to defund the outlets.
Katherine Maher, the chief executive of NPR, denied that the organization’s underwriting messages violated federal regulations.
“We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR’s adherence to these rules,” Maher said in a statement. “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.”
Paula Kerger, the head of PBS, said she welcomed the chance to show the FCC that PBS is in compliance with advertising restrictions.
“PBS is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations,” Kerger said in a statement, “We work diligently to comply with the FCC’s underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission.”
Conservatives have long sought to slash government funding for NPR and PBS over accusations that their news coverage is biased.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) – a co-sponsor of the No Propaganda Act introduced in Congress last December – has argued that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which partially funds NPR and PBS, “cannot be allowed to keep using your hard-earned tax dollars to push a biased and political agenda that goes against what’s best for Americans.”
Last April, President Trump signaled that he would support cuts to public broadcasters.
“NO MORE FUNDING FOR NPR, A TOTAL SCAM!” he wrote on Truth Social. “THEY ARE A LIBERAL DISINFORMATION MACHINE. NOT ONE DOLLAR!!!”
