President Donald J. Trump has issued an order to terminate federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), asserting that taxpayer support for these entities is obsolete given the current media environment. The directive, announced from the White House, considers the current federal funding mechanism outdated and suggests that it affects perceptions of journalistic independence.
The order identifies the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) as the conduit for these funds and criticizes NPR and PBS for failing to provide "fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events." It aims to halt both direct and indirect CPB funding to these organizations.
Under Section 2 of the order, the CPB Board has been instructed to discontinue all direct and indirect funding for NPR and PBS. The board is tasked with revising the eligibility criteria for grants to exclude these entities and must take all necessary actions to minimize their funding.
Section 3 extends these instructions to all federal agencies, requiring them to identify and terminate any funding directed to NPR and PBS, consistent with legal limits. Additionally, agencies are to review current financial agreements with NPR and PBS to ensure compliance with their terms, addressing any breaches they identify.
Specific social responsibilities are also highlighted, as the Secretary of Health and Human Services is to verify adherence to non-discrimination mandates by NPR and PBS. In cases of noncompliance, corrective measures must be taken.
The order includes provisions for severability, legal constraints, and implementation measures, ensuring that it does not infringe on existing legal authorities or create new legal rights.
The directive underscores the Government’s stance that no media entity is entitled to taxpayer subsidies, emphasizing that federal support should align with principles of impartiality and nonpartisanship in news coverage.
