President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to eliminate federal funding for PBS and NPR, citing "biased and partisan news coverage" as the primary reason. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease all federal funding and eliminate indirect sources of public financing.

Currently, NPR and PBS receive approximately $500M annually through the CPB, supporting various programming including arts, culture, and music coverage. The executive order demands CPB to terminate existing direct funding and prevent future allocations.


PBS President & CEO Paula Kerger called the order "overtly illegal," stating it threatens their 50-year mission of providing educational content to the American public. NPR President & CEO Katherine Maher announced they will contest the order through all available means.

Key points of contention:

• The funding represents less than 0.0001% of the federal budget
• CPB funding requires Congressional appropriation, not just executive action
• Both organizations claim the order violates First Amendment rights
• The decision affects locally owned and operated stations nationwide

Legal challenges are expected, as CPB funding traditionally requires Congressional approval. Both broadcasters have emphasized their commitment to continuing their services while pursuing legal options to maintain their funding structure.

The order represents a significant shift in federal support for public broadcasting and may impact the availability of educational and cultural programming across the United States. PBS and NPR continue to evaluate options to support their member stations and maintain services to the American public.

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