Key takeaways:

• FCC Chair Brendan Carr has launched investigations into NPR and PBS over allegations they are airing commercials.
• Both NPR and PBS maintain their compliance with federal regulations regarding underwriting and programming.
• The investigations may support ongoing congressional discussions to defund public broadcasters funded by taxpayer dollars.

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, appointed by President Trump, has initiated an investigation into NPR and PBS, raising concerns that the two public broadcasters may be violating federal law by airing what could be classified as commercials. Carr conveyed his apprehensions through a letter addressed to the leaders of NPR and PBS, stating, “I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials.” He elaborated that there is a possibility that member stations of both organizations are broadcasting underwriting messages that could overstep regulations by transforming into prohibited commercial advertisements.

NPR President Katherine Maher responded, affirming that the organization’s underwriting messages adhere to the necessary federal regulations, stating, “We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR's adherence to these rules,” according to NPR. Similarly, PBS expressed pride in its noncommercial educational programming and indicated a willingness to collaborate to demonstrate compliance with FCC standards.

At the heart of this investigation lies a more substantial political landscape, with Carr indicating that he intends to involve Congress in the inquiry as it pertains to ongoing legislative debates about whether taxpayer subsidies should be discontinued for public broadcasters, who receive portions of their funding through federal funds. Notably, Carr highlighted shifts in the media marketplace since the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, arguing that taxpayer dollars should not buoy entities potentially airing commercial content.

Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a Democrat on the FCC board, voiced his concerns about the implications of Carr’s actions, describing them as a threat to the free exchange of ideas. He expressed that the investigation signals possible intimidation towards public broadcasters, implying that such actions could stifle local media’s ability to operate effectively and foster a diverse media ecosystem.

This inquiry aligns with a broader pattern of aggressive scrutiny directed at public media, underscored by past statements from President Trump denouncing NPR as a “liberal disinformation machine.” Carr’s probe appears to resonate with directives outlined in conservative policy agendas like Project 2025, which calls for significant changes to public broadcasting funding.

For more information, check the full details on USA Today, The Daily Beast, and Salon.