CED Newsletters & Policy Alerts

Policy Alert: Administration Eliminates Federal Funding for NPR and PBS

May 07, 2025

Action: Executive Order “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media”

What it does: The Administration has issued an Executive Order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Board of Directors and Federal agencies to cease all direct and indirect Federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The Administration accuses NPR and PBS of not being impartial in their news coverage, claiming that “neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.” The Order requires the CPB Board to cancel existing direct funding, decline to provide future funding, and cease indirect funding to NPR and PBS, including stopping the use of Federal funds by licensees and permittees of public radio and television stations for NPR and PBS. The Administration also orders the heads of all Federal agencies to terminate any direct or indirect funding to NPR and PBS and to review compliance with the terms of existing grants, including a specific directive to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assess compliance with non-discrimination statutes.

Key Insights

• In an accompanying fact sheet, the Administration lists various allegations of bias against Republicans in NPR and PBS programming, particularly around cultural and social issues. The fact sheet does not include links to specific stories or studies to back up its claims.
• Currently, NPR and PBS receive approximately half a billion dollars in Federal funding through the CPB. Approximately 15% of public television and 10% of radio broadcasting funding comes from the Federal appropriations that CPB distributes, with the rest coming from members, foundations, business sponsorships, and other earned revenue. CPB funding is particularly important for local news, rural public radio stations, and underserved communities.
• The Order also targets indirect costs, which are typically for facilities and administration. Federal regulations specify that negotiated indirect cost rates must be accepted by all Federal agencies, with any deviations reported to the Office of Management and Budget.
• The Administration’s unilateral push to eliminate funding appropriated by Congress is part of its strategy to legally challenge the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which the Administration believes is unconstitutional. The White House has also stated its intent to propose a rescission package to Congress that eliminates funding for the CPB.
• The Order will likely face legal challenge, particularly given that Congress directly authorized and funded the CPB as a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the Federal government (rather than an independent regulatory agency such as the Federal Trade Commission that a previous Executive Order seeks to treat as part of the Executive Branch).