Brendan Carr described as “Trump’s Censorship Czar” as he launches media probes.

Summary

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, alleging they may be violating federal law by airing commercial advertisements.

He also urged Congress to defund them, arguing taxpayer support is outdated.

Critics, including FCC Democratic commissioners and media advocacy groups, say the move is politically motivated and aimed at intimidating independent journalism.

Carr has previously acted on Trump’s media complaints and contributed to Project 2025.

NPR and PBS deny wrongdoing, asserting their underwriting practices comply with FCC regulations.

  • the_crotch
    20·
    5 hours ago

    I don’t think the feds fund NPR. They’re brought to us by a generous grant from the Walton Family Trust. Walmart, low prices every day! And Progressive Auto Insurance. Get a quote in 3 minutes with Progressive! Now back to another block of commercial free public radio.

    • atempuser23@lemmy.world
      5·
      1 hour ago

      That’s always stuck out to me as well. I don’t enjoy it at all. I haven’t seen preferable coverage of those companies from the news outlets, but It does feel bad to see that.

      The only way to get around that is to increase the federal funding as well as private contributions. I think the stations are doing right in the way the coverage and reporting are done, but it would be nicer if the sponsors were not needed.

      • taiyang@lemmy.world
        1·
        41 minutes ago

        It helps that at least they will say openly when they have a sponsorship during a story. That’s especially fun when NPR will say some nasty shit Meta did and preface that with “full disclosure Meta is one of NPRs sponsors”.

        They’re generally not sensationalists, though, you’ll never hear them say they eviscerated someone. Lol