Brendan Carr described as “Trump’s Censorship Czar” as he launches media probes.

Summary

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, alleging they may be violating federal law by airing commercial advertisements.

He also urged Congress to defund them, arguing taxpayer support is outdated.

Critics, including FCC Democratic commissioners and media advocacy groups, say the move is politically motivated and aimed at intimidating independent journalism.

Carr has previously acted on Trump’s media complaints and contributed to Project 2025.

NPR and PBS deny wrongdoing, asserting their underwriting practices comply with FCC regulations.

  • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
    20·
    7 hours ago

    I don’t think the feds fund NPR. They’re brought to us by a generous grant from the Walton Family Trust. Walmart, low prices every day! And Progressive Auto Insurance. Get a quote in 3 minutes with Progressive! Now back to another block of commercial free public radio.

    • Y|yukichigai@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      1·
      49 seconds ago

      Yeah, even though this is obviously politically motivated, the claim that they’re effectively running commercials isn’t that off base. It was one thing when they’d say “we receive funding from Company X: Their Slogan”, but now they’re reading sometimes paragraphs of ad copy, back-to-back.

      • taiyang@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 hours ago

        It helps that at least they will say openly when they have a sponsorship during a story. That’s especially fun when NPR will say some nasty shit Meta did and preface that with “full disclosure Meta is one of NPRs sponsors”.

        They’re generally not sensationalists, though, you’ll never hear them say they eviscerated someone. Lol