FCC Probe Into NPR, PBS Denounced as 'Attack on the Freedom of the Press' | Common Dreams
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U.S. press freedom advocates this week forcefully condemned Republican Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr's investigation into National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service that could lead to stripping them of government funding.

“The FCC chair is clearly undertaking an effort to bully and intimidate independent journalism, which is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes where democracy is under siege,” said one critic.

  • @DrunkEngineer
    -41•7 days ago

    “I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” Carr wrote. “I have asked the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, with assistance from the FCC’s Media Bureau, to initiate an investigation into the underwriting announcements and related policies of NPR, PBS, and their broadcast member stations.”

    Such an investigation is long overdue. My local NPR station broadcasts nothing but commercials.

      • @[email protected]English
        19•7 days ago

        It’s got to be. Listening to NPR has spoiled me to the point where I can’t listen to regular music stations anymore because of the commercials.

      • @DrunkEngineer
        -13•7 days ago

        Not sure what practical difference there is between a sponsorship and an ad. Anytime I try to listen to my local public radio, each and every segment starts off with “this report brought to you by …blah blah blah…”

        • Flying Squid
          14•6 days ago

          Do you never listen to any other radio stations? You know, like pretty much every other radio station out there that has a good 3-4 actual fully-produced (and often highly irritating) radio commercials every 15 minutes?

          Also, please explain how public radio is supposed to survive without corporate underwriters. Especially now that the meager amount of federal funding they get is about to be taken away from them.

    • Drusas
      14•6 days ago

      I listen to NPR all the time and I have never once heard a commercial.