Public media leaders and lawmakers are sharply criticizing a new executive order from President Donald Trump that directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease all federal funding to NPR and PBS. Critics say the directive is not only illegal under existing law but also a dangerous assault on the independence of public journalism.
Signed late Thursday, the executive order labels federal support for public media as “outdated and unnecessary,” accusing NPR and PBS of political bias and arguing that today’s competitive media market no longer justifies government subsidies. It directs CPB to halt both direct and indirect funding to the networks and requires federal agencies to identify and eliminate any contracts or grants benefiting them.
The reaction was swift and forceful. NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher rejected the order, asserting that NPR remains committed to integrity, editorial independence, and its mission of public service. She pledged to fight the order in court, emphasizing that NPR plays a critical role in providing timely and accurate information to the public. Maher cited the Public Broadcasting Act, which protects CPB from political interference, and noted that public broadcasting funding accounts for less than 0.0001% of the federal budget.
“This is not about saving money,” Maher stated. “It’s about silencing trusted sources of news and weakening democracy.” She described the order as a clear violation of First Amendment protections and a direct attack on the ability of public stations to serve local communities.
PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger also denounced the order as “blatantly unlawful” and said the network is considering legal action to challenge it.
Lawmakers voiced strong opposition as well. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts called the order illegal and warned that eliminating federal support threatens the survival of public stations, particularly in underserved rural and urban areas. “These stations are vital for delivering children’s education, emergency alerts, and culturally rich programming,” he said.
The order follows another controversial move earlier this week, when a federal judge blocked Trump’s attempt to remove three CPB board members, ruling in favor of preserving public media’s independence.
Advocacy groups and broadcasters are now preparing legal challenges, determined to defend CPB funding and ensure continued access to public broadcasting for communities nationwide.