NPR Motion Exposes CPB Tensions

On Saturday, NPR filed an emergency motion in federal court in Washington, D.C., asking Judge Randolph D. Moss to temporarily block the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) from awarding a $57.9 million grant over five years to a newly formed nonprofit consortium, Public Media Infrastructure (PMI). 

The grant funds the operation of the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS), a critical satellite network that NPR has managed for over 40 years, enabling hundreds of public radio stations and independent producers to distribute programming nationwide.

Background and Dispute The Grant and Consortium: Earlier on Friday, CPB announced the award to PMI, whose members include New York Public Radio, PRX (Public Radio Exchange), American Public Media (APM), and Station Resource Group (a consulting firm). CPB selected PMI after a competitive bidding process, arguing it promotes a more diverse and decentralized public media ecosystem amid shrinking federal budgets.

NPR contends the decision violates federal procurement rules, ignores PRSS's historical reliability, and risks disrupting the system during a vulnerable time. NPR CEO Katherine Maher emphasized in a letter to member stations that the move threatens the "integrity and stability" of public radio, potentially leading to service outages for stations without NPR affiliations.

Trump  and Media

In August 2025, Trump signed legislation rescinding all CPB appropriations for FY2026—the first such defunding in over 50 years—prompting CPB to announce a wind-down of operations by September 30, 2025, with most staff layoffs. CPB will retain a small team for fiscal obligations, but the cuts have forced stations to scramble for alternatives.

Ongoing Legal Battles: NPR and three Colorado member stations are separately suing the White House over a May 2025 executive order banning CPB funds to NPR and PBS, which NPR calls unconstitutional retaliation for alleged bias. The group seeks protections for public media's First Amendment rights.

With federal support evaporating, rivalries have intensified between NPR (seen as centralized) and regional players like APM and PRX (pushing for distributed models). 

CPB lamented the lawsuit's cost, stating it diverts "scarce funds" from system-wide support. Maher pledged collaboration with PMI to avoid disruptions, but the clash underscores survival instincts clashing with unity efforts.

The motion seeks an injunction until a full hearing.