FCC Opens Investigation into NPR and PBS

[TheBigA]

From the above article:

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is “forward-funded” two years to insulate it from political maneuvering, and a sizable chunk of the money for 2025 has already been paid out to public broadcasters in the United States, according to a person familiar with the matter.

It's hard to understand how the congress can pass a continuing resolution that funds the government through the end of the year, and then go back and rescind funding that was in that CR. Clearly this will lead to lawsuits from CPB.

I still believe the reps don't have the votes to do this, because most of their people understand this would hurt their states, and not NPR.

 

[ted chittenden]

From the above article:



It's hard to understand how the congress can pass a continuing resolution that funds the government through the end of the year, and then go back and rescind funding that was in that CR. Clearly this will lead to lawsuits from CPB.

I still believe the reps don't have the votes to do this, because most of their people understand this would hurt their states, and not NPR.

Never underestimate the loyalty of GOP representatives and senators to this President, no matter what the effects on the states they represent might be.

My predictions? The request will pass the House on a party-line vote (barely) but fail in the Senate. We'll se what happens.

 

[cc333]

My predictions? The request will pass the House on a party-line vote (barely) but fail in the Senate. We'll se what happens.

Agreed. Regardless of what we may think of their politics, Senate republicans tend to be somewhat more sane than the MTG-like lunatics in the House.

That said, I saw this in the news today:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/14/media/trump-fcc-60-minutes-cbs/index.html

What is it about CBS and 60 Minutes that this administration doesn't like? The fact that they, like, do their job and report facts?

*sigh*

c

 

[TheBigA]

What is it about CBS and 60 Minutes that this administration doesn't like?

It's popular.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

From the above article:



It's hard to understand how the congress can pass a continuing resolution that funds the government through the end of the year, and then go back and rescind funding that was in that CR. Clearly this will lead to lawsuits from CPB.

I still believe the reps don't have the votes to do this, because most of their people understand this would hurt their states, and not NPR.

However the current CPB funding does not end until fiscal year 2027 like after the midterm elections. Whatever this is being discussed here does not stop CPB funding the way Trump allies want to happen.

CPB Statement on Congress’ Approval of Continued Funding for Public Media

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 14, 2025) — Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), issued the following statement today after the House and Senate approved a Continuing Resolution (CR) for Fiscal Year 2025, extending funding for public media. The...

cpb.org

Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), issued the following statement today after the House and Senate approved a Continuing Resolution (CR) for Fiscal Year 2025, extending funding for public media. The legislation provides $535 million for CPB in Fiscal Year 2027, upholding the two-year advance appropriation for public media.

 

[cc333]

It's popular.

Guess so.

I listen to 60 Minutes from time to time (on KCBS-AM, of course), and I like what I hear.

I find that their stories are reasonably well balanced and informative. And, of course, very fact-based.

Given that, it makes sense that Mr. President wouldn't like it, as it's anathema to his preferred type of coverage.

c

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

From Coast Alaska Executive Director Mollie Kabler:
National news sources are reporting that the White House will ask congress to rescind CPB funding approved for FY26 and FY27. The request is expected for April 28, giving Congress 45 days to vote this up or down. This is a critical challenge to our federal funding
(CA is a provider of news/financial/managerial/technical services to various public stations in Alaska and advocacy group)

 

[TheBigA]

The specific reason for the advance funding is to prevent this from happening. So then how is this happening?

They can't just "rescind the appropriated funding." They have to repeal the law that set up the advance funding. That takes more work.

 

[ted chittenden]

Never underestimate the loyalty of GOP representatives and senators to this President, no matter what the effects on the states they represent might be.

My predictions? The request will pass the House on a party-line vote (barely) but fail in the Senate. We'll se what happens.

The specific reason for the advance funding is to prevent this from happening. So then how is this happening?

They can't just "rescind the appropriated funding." They have to repeal the law that set up the advance funding. That takes more work.

Apparently, the current U.S. President disagrees with your analysis. And, since he's now ignoring court orders in other areas (including one from the U.S. Supreme Court), why not ask Congress to rescind the funding. And, if that doesn't work, he will ignore the requirement and stop sending funds to the CPB anyway.

I wish I could say more but it would most likely get me thrown off of this Board.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

I am trying to be optimistic while also looking at facts.

I think its going to pass by the skin of its teeth.... because this will kill public radio in some states where these people who are against it need it.... and i think when some people finally wake up and realize there there will be just enough to get it over the hurdle

 

[davideduardo]

I am trying to be optimistic while also looking at facts.

I think its going to pass by the skin of its teeth.... because this will kill public radio in some states where these people who are against it need it.... and i think when some people finally wake up and realize there there will be just enough to get it over the hurdle

What are the alternatives?

Can the program providers like NPR and public television create a unified national campaign for contributions and corporate sponsorships?

I don't give to my local PBS and NPR stations, but if there were something less specific than the horrible beg-a-thons I'd consider one of those $20 a month contributions... at least!

 

[TheBigA]

Can the program providers like NPR and public television create a unified national campaign for contributions and corporate sponsorships?

Not without a change to their bylaws. That would require the member stations to vote to allow them to do that. Possible, but not likely.

 

[davideduardo]

Not without a change to their bylaws. That would require the member stations to vote to allow them to do that. Possible, but not likely.

I am not familiar with the bylaws, never having dealt with public media in the U.S. Would in not be the right time to consider joining forces now?

 

[TheBigA]

I am not familiar with the bylaws, never having dealt with public media in the U.S. Would in not be the right time to consider joining forces now?

The issue here is bigger than NPR and PBS. Cutting funding to CPB really threatens the entire system.

As I said, the idea of advance funding of CPB was meant to insulate them from this kind of political interference. This is CPB's battle to fight.

Purpose of CPB’s Advance Appropriations

CPB’s two-year advance appropriation dates back to the Public Broadcasting Financing Act of 1975. The two-year advance means that Congress approved CPB’s 2025 funding level during the FY 2023 budget cycle, the 2026 funding during the FY 2024 budget cycle, and the 2027 funding during the FY 2025...

cpb.org

 

[TheBigA]

Apparently, the current U.S. President disagrees with your analysis.

He doesn't care about what anyone else says. He's a spoiled rich kid who wants everything done his way. I have no problem with him stating his opinions about the media. He's not the first president to complain about media coverage. He has a first amendment right to say his views, and his fans are welcome to listen to him and agree. There are lots of media outlets for them to follow.

What he's doing is using the government, either through funding or through regulation, to shut down the media. That's a very different thing. So he's using the power of the government to impose his beliefs on everyone. Even those who don't agree with him. That's what a tyrant does. He is Louis the 14th, King of France, saying "I am the state."

 

[kevtronics]

He is Louis the 14th, King of France, saying "I am the state."

Or Ronald Reagan, saying "I am paying for this microphone"... only except now instead of wanting to keep it on, he wants to shut it off.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://www.mediareform.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Reuters_Handbook_of_Journalism.pdf

Sound Reporting, Second Edition

An indispensable guide to audio journalism grounded in NPR’s journalistic values and practices, with tips and insights from its top reporters, hosts, editors, producers, and more. A lot has changed in media in recent years, but one thing that remains steadfast is National Public Radio’s (NPR)...

press.uchicago.edu

The Associated Press Stylebook: 2024-2026|Paperback

Master the style guidelines of newswriting, editing and common usage with this indispensable guide perfect for professional writers and students everywhere. The style of the Associated Press is the gold standard for news writing. With The Associated Press Stylebook in...

www.barnesandnoble.com

Reuters Journalistic Standards

Explore the 10 hallmarks of Reuters journalism. See how we uphold trust and independence.

reutersagency.com

Here if one is wondering why news articles are written a certain way. If the FCC wants to see why journalism is done the way it is then they can simply look at these guidebooks from the AP, Reuters and NPR News.

 

[b-turner]

Government is always creating an issue that gets everyone riled up. While attention is diverted, they do something much more significant while the smaller issue gets everyone's attention. Not saying this isn't a big deal but my question is what else are they doing?

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Our fictional station team reflects on the growing regulatory storm - Current

In our second installment, station staffers discuss the FCC investigation of underwriting practices in public media.

current.org

Current does another scenario exercise on how to respond to the Doge issue hitting CPB.

 

[Delete My Account]

Not saying this isn't a big deal but my question is what else are they doing?

Growing the oligarchy. See also: Russia.