Trump's new FCC chief opens investigation into longtime conservative targets NPR, PBS

Brendan Carr, President Donald Trump's new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has told NPR and PBS that they're under investigation.

The investigation will revolve around NPR and PBS airing sponsorships across their 1,500-plus member stations, Carr said Wednesday in a letter obtained by The New York Times. The letter was sent to both NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger.

“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” Carr said. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”

Both outlets maintain they follow all FCC regulations and say they're confident they can prove it.

President Donald Trump appointed Carr FCC chairman in November. Carr has worked at the FCC for more than a dozen years, including as a commissioner during Trump's first term and the agency's general counsel.

Public media leaders respond to Carr

NPR's Maher told USA TODAY in a statement that the outlet's sponsorships, known as underwriting, comply with federal regulations.

“NPR programming and underwriting messaging complies with federal regulations, including the FCC guidelines on underwriting messages for noncommercial educational broadcasters, and Member stations are expected to be in compliance as well,” Maher said. “We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR’s adherence to these rules.”

PBS spokesman Jason Phelps echoed the sentiment.

"PBS is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations," he said. "We work diligently to comply with the FCC’s underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission."

Carr says Congress could be involved

Carr told PBS and NPR that members of Congress would be informed of the investigation and said Congress is considering whether to stop funding NPR and PBS.

“I believe this FCC investigation may prove relevant to an ongoing legislative debate. In particular, Congress is actively considering whether to stop requiring taxpayers to subsidize NPR and PBS programming," Carr said. "For my own part, I do not see a reason why Congress should continue sending taxpayer dollars to NPR and PBS given the changes in the media marketplace since the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967."

What are the FCC's rules?

The main law Carr suggested NPR and PBS might be breaking is Section 399B of the Communications Act, which prohibits NPR and PBS stations from airing commercials on behalf of "for-profit entities."

According to the law, public broadcasting stations are not allowed to run commercials, but they are allowed to present corporate underwriting spots which are an on-air acknowledgment of their contribution.

In place of commercials, NPR says it presents "what are considered corporate underwriting spots, which are supposed to stop shy of a 'call to action' telling listeners and viewers to buy a product or service."

FCC commissioner says investigation is a 'threat'

Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said in a statement that the investigation opened by Carr is a "threat to the free flow of information."

"Public television and radio stations play a significant role in our media ecosystem," he said. "Any attempt to intimidate these local media outlets is a threat to the free flow of information and the marketplace of ideas. The announcement of this investigation gives me serious concern."

Republicans, including Trump, have called for an end of public funding for NPR and PBS, arguing that taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for programming that they argue doesn't cover a full range of political views.

"NO MORE FUNDING FOR NPR, A TOTAL SCAM!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social last April. "THEY ARE A LIBERAL DISINFORMATION MACHINE. NOT ONE DOLLAR!!!"

The FCC did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump's new FCC chief opens investigation into NPR, PBS