Trump Orders Cuts To Small Federal Funding For NPR, PBS

President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending taxpayer subsidies for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)—a long-standing conservative priority—Dallas Morning News reported.

The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to halt direct funding to NPR and PBS to the fullest extent permitted by law and prohibits future federal allocations. I Photo: Mr.TinMD Flickr

Trump called federal funding of news media "outdated and unnecessary," and said it undermines the “appearance of journalistic independence.”

The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to halt direct funding to NPR and PBS to the fullest extent permitted by law and prohibits future federal allocations.

It also seeks to block indirect federal support—such as grants to local public radio and TV stations that carry NPR or PBS content, according to Bloomberg’s Derek Wallbank.

PBS stands to lose more, relying on federal funding for about 16% of its budget, said CEO Paula Kerger in March testimony to Congress. NPR, in contrast, receives just 1% of its revenue from direct federal sources.

Both organizations are also supported by individual donors and sponsors, AP's Lisa Mascaro noted.

Trump criticized both outlets’ coverage of current events, despite their award-winning journalism on U.S. politics and government, Bloomberg reporters Gregory Korte and Erik Wasson added.