The Reagan administration instructed PBS to look for methods to boost public television funding outside of taxpayer monies forty years ago.
Yes, it did.
In response to the challenge, PBS improved its recognition of sponsors. PBS permitted business sponsors to place messages that resembled typical ads before its programming, rather than just playing the brand emblem.
Programs like Ken Burns’ critically acclaimed documentaries, Masterpiece, and Nova were sustained in part by that approach. However, Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr is now investigating it, claiming that the spots go beyond what is allowed in commercial advertising.
Carr expressed his support for cutting off federal financing for public broadcasting in a letter he sent on January 30 to PBS and NPR, which also carry corporate sponsorship messaging.
Citing the variety of media options available to consumers, he added, “For my part, I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS.”
For a long time, conservative lawmakers have advocated for reducing funding for PBS and NPR because they believe these networks encourage liberal ideas. The Defund Government-Sponsored Propaganda Act is a bill introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, that would stop federal financing for the outlets.
Since the Nixon White House, Republican administrations have attempted to stop receiving government funds. However, Carr’s focus feels more pressing in the DOGE era, where Trump has given Elon Musk carte blanche to slash and tear the government budget.
According to Jeff McCall, a communications professor at DePauw University, Carr’s early raising of this issue during his chairmanship demonstrates his genuine commitment in addressing it. It feels different because of that.
Carr has been aggressive in criticizing the owners of government-licensed broadcast channels, most recently PBS and NPR. His behavior has coincided with Trump’s resentment of mainstream media for providing critical coverage of him.
Following their dismissal by the Biden administration, Carr has resurrected bias allegations against CBS, ABC, and NBC over their coverage of the 2024 presidential campaign since assuming the position of chairman. In an investigation into a news distortion complaint against CBS about the editing of an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris before to the election, he has solicited public input.
The Center for American Rights, a conservative nonprofit law group, filed the lawsuits against CBS, ABC, and NBC.
No particular instances of PBS or NPR breaking the standards for public broadcasters were brought up in Carr’s letter dated January 30.
In an interview, PBS President Paula Kerger stated, “We have always envisioned a small amount of government funding matched by philanthropy and then matched by corporate support.” We have collaborated with the FCC to ensure that we are adhering to their guidelines for compliance.
The program has complied with the FCC’s underwriting message standards, according to a statement from Katherine Maher, president and chief executive of Morning Edition and All Things Considered home NPR.
Kerger is accustomed to playing defense when a new government assumes power when it comes to the future of PBS’s federal financing.
According to Kerger, “I never assume that our government funding will just continue in the way that it has.” To be honest, I believe it is our responsibility to argue for the value of public media each year.
According to Kerger, the majority of government financing is allocated directly to locally owned and operated PBS member TV stations. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides federal funding to public stations, needs $595 million in the upcoming authorization. This is especially important for stations in rural areas, where voters were more inclined to support Trump.
According to Kerger, the government typically provides a sizable amount of financing to those stations, despite their modest budgets. Occasionally, between 40 and 50 percent of the total comes from government appropriations. Therefore, we particularly advocate for this money because it is obvious that certain stations would not exist.
Kerger has focused on stations in smaller communities, like Cookeville, Tennessee, that offer free over-the-air PBS programming to locals who cannot afford pay TV subscriptions or sufficient broadband for streaming, during her time there. Additionally, the stations serve as a backup for the wireless emergency alert system that transmits Amber and weather warnings.
According to Kerger, Cookeville has distinct needs than New York City. Additionally, in a state like Florida, our television stations provide a very strong informational network for the public not just before a storm hits but also throughout it.
Public radio and television stations are run by nonprofits, and their listeners and donors are lobbying their congressional representatives to oppose cuts. Bipartisan backing has kept public media financing afloat.
To mobilize support, PBS SoCal and others are launching Protect My Public Media Day on March 6.
According to statistics from a recent YouGov survey that PBS commissioned, Trump supporters support government funding for the service, with 65% of them believing that present levels are either too little or about right.
Even though public media has already resisted cuts, McCall thinks PBS and NPR must unite under a resolute Carr.
He remarked, “I don’t think those (FCC) chairmen ever really had the stomach to deal with this kind of thing, even when you had Republican presidents.”
Los Angeles Times, 2025, www.latimes.com. Tribune Content Agency, LLC is the distributor.
