PBS, NPR Showdown On The Hill

PBS and NPR are preparing for a significant congressional hearing scheduled for Wednesday, organized by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican who chairs the House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

The hearing aims to scrutinize the federal funding of these public media networks, which collectively receive a $535 million appropriation through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), alongside substantial private support. 

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The focus is on allegations of systemic bias in their reporting, with Greene and other critics asserting that NPR and PBS have prioritized partisan narratives over balanced journalism, particularly citing their coverage—or lack thereof—of stories like Hunter Biden’s laptop, COVID-19 origins, and the Russia collusion narrative.

Paula Kerger, CEO of PBS since 2006, and Katherine Maher, CEO of NPR, are set to testify. In preparation, PBS has been rehearsing responses with lawyers, while NPR executives are gearing up to monitor the fallout. 

The stakes are high, as Kerger has emphasized that the future of many local stations could be jeopardized without continued federal funding, stating, “Everything is at stake.” Both organizations are framing their defense around their roles in providing trusted, fact-based content to American communities, with PBS highlighting its bipartisan congressional support and NPR underscoring its commitment to journalistic standards.

The hearing aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration and allies like Elon Musk to cut federal spending, amplifying the political tension. Greene has publicly questioned why taxpayers should fund what she calls “partisan, so-called ‘media’ stations,” promising a showdown that could influence public perception and policy.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would love to see federal funding end for news outlets NPR and PBS. When asked if he would be interested in defunding and taking away taxpayer dollars sent to the two outlets, Trump said, "I would love to do that. I think it's very unfair. It's been very biased the whole group."