Overview

• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, citing concerns that their underwriting announcements may violate federal regulations prohibiting commercial advertising on public broadcasting.
• Carr's investigation aligns with his broader push to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasters, echoing President Trump's long-standing opposition to such subsidies.
• NPR and PBS executives have strongly denied the allegations, asserting that their underwriting practices comply with FCC rules and longstanding federal guidelines.
• Critics, including FCC Democratic commissioners and media advocacy groups, argue that the investigation is a politically motivated effort to intimidate public media and undermine its funding.
• Public broadcasting relies on a mix of funding sources, with federal contributions accounting for a small but vital portion, particularly for rural stations.