On the evening of May 1, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing federal support for American public broadcasters — specifically the PBS television network and NPR radio. The move was reported by Reuters.
According to the order, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which allocates funding to these organizations, is instructed to halt direct funding to media outlets that, according to the administration, display political bias.
The CPB board must eliminate existing direct funding to the maximum extent allowed by law and refrain from allocating new funds in the future, the executive order states.
The order also calls for a suspension of indirect funding. It requires the CPB to ensure that licensees, permit holders, and other recipients of CPB funds do not channel federal money to PBS or NPR.
NPR and PBS previously warned that such measures could have a devastating impact on millions of Americans, particularly those in small and rural communities who rely on public media as a trusted source of local and national news.
Since the beginning of Trump’s second term, his administration has pursued an aggressive campaign to cut federal spending. This has already led to the downsizing or closure of various government agencies and the dismissal of over 200,000 federal employees.
In addition, funding for several universities and media outlets has been reduced, with the administration accusing them of promoting a “left-wing liberal agenda.”
