In a combative congressional hearing on Wednesday, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene reignited long-standing Republican efforts to strip federal funding from public media, labeling NPR and PBS as “communist” and calling for the complete dismantling of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

The hearing, titled “Anti-American Airwaves: Holding the Heads of NPR and PBS Accountable,” saw Greene and fellow Republicans clash with media executives over editorial independence, public trust, and federal spending. At the heart of the debate: whether public broadcasting still serves its mandate—or has become, in Greene’s words, “a mouthpiece for leftist propaganda.”

“This is not just about media bias—it’s about the misuse of American tax dollars,” Greene said during closing remarks. “We’re calling for the total defund and dismantling of CPB.”

Greene, who chaired the hearing through the House’s DOGE subcommittee, accused the public broadcasters of promoting elitist, left-leaning narratives, while disregarding conservative perspectives and rural communities. Her remarks reflected broader GOP grievances, particularly about the coverage of COVID-19’s origins, the Hunter Biden laptop story, and issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS President Paula Kerger stood their ground, defending their networks’ editorial standards and commitment to local journalism and education. Maher acknowledged missteps—such as the delayed coverage of the Hunter Biden story—but emphasized that NPR has since reported on newly surfaced intelligence and remains committed to transparency.

Kerger highlighted the networks’ educational mission, especially for underserved and rural populations. “Public broadcasting is about connection—to culture, to community, to information,” she said. “It’s one of the most trusted institutions in American life.”

Despite President Trump’s recent assertion that PBS and NPR are a “waste of money,” Congress has already allocated $535 million for CPB through 2027. The funding supports more than 1,500 local stations across the U.S., many of which rely heavily on CPB to operate.

Local station leaders painted a clearer picture of that reliance. In Alaska, CPB provides nearly one-third of KTOO’s budget. In Hawaii, federal support covers 6% of Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s funding—small, but crucial, according to CEO Meredith Artley. “The system works together. Undermining one part threatens the whole,” she said.

Throughout the hearing, Democrats defended the role of public media as a public service. “Public broadcasting is about education, emergency alerts, and truth,” said Rep. Robert Garcia. “This isn’t about bias—this is about silencing media voices that challenge power.”

Rep. Greg Casar criticized Republicans for fixating on NPR and PBS while ignoring multibillion-dollar government contracts handed to private corporations. “The same members calling for cuts to CPB are silent when companies like SpaceX and Tesla pull in billions from taxpayers,” he said. “That’s the real waste.”

Freedom of the press advocates echoed these concerns. The Center for Democracy & Technology called the hearing a “thinly veiled attempt to intimidate independent journalism,” while Reporters Without Borders warned that such actions could open the door to greater political interference in public media.

Public broadcasters around the country used the moment to reinforce their local value. From Pittsburgh to Honolulu, stations shared community stories and highlighted the unique programming no other outlet provides.

As Jason Jedlinski, head of Pittsburgh PBS station WQED, wrote: “No matter what happens in D.C., we’re not going anywhere. Local stories still matter.


WafricNews – Washington, D.C.