Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into the sponsorship practices of NPR and PBS member stations, notifying the organizations’ leaders this week.
Carr informed NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger of the probe in a letter on Wednesday, stating concerns that the stations may be violating federal law by airing what could amount to commercial advertisements. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”
Carr also indicated plans to brief members of Congress on the investigation. “Congress is actively considering whether to stop requiring taxpayers to subsidize NPR and PBS programming,” he wrote, arguing that changes in the media landscape have diminished the need for federal funding. He suggested that if taxpayer dollars were supporting a for-profit enterprise or stations airing commercial advertisements, it would further weaken the case for continued public funding of NPR and PBS.
