Trump signs order to ax federal funding for NPR and PBS

President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday night that's designed to cut funding to NPR and PBS.Why it matters: The order that calls the two biggest public broadcasters in the U.S. "biased" and directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to "cease direct funding" for them comes amid a broader push to target traditional media companies that Republicans see as biased against them.The situation is already tense with the CPB, which allocates about $535 million in federal funding annually to NPR and PBS. The CPB filed a lawsuit against Trump and several administration officials on Monday for attempting to fire three members of its board.PBS and NPR had for decades enjoyed bipartisan support from lawmakers responsible for approving their government funds, per Axios' Sara Fischer and Natalie Daher.Zoom in: Trump's order claims "neither entity presents a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events" to taxpayers."The CPB Board shall cease direct funding to NPR and PBS, consistent with my Administration's policy to ensure that Federal funding does not support biased and partisan news coverage," states the order. "The CPB Board shall cancel existing direct funding to the maximum extent allowed by law and shall decline to provide future funding."Zoom out: The two public broadcasters are mostly funded by nongovernment sources, but PBS CEO Paula Kerger said during an an Axios News Shapers event in Washington, D.C., local member stations for PBS and NPR rely heavily on the government funding through the CPB.NPR previously defended its editorial integrity after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called on the CEOs of the two broadcasters to testify at a DOGE subcommittee hearing on what she described as "systemically biased content" from federally funded radio and TV organizations.What they're saying: "For more than 50 years, NPR has collaborated with local nonprofit public media organizations to fill critical needs for news and information in America's communities," a spokesperson for the outlet said in an emailed statement on Friday morning."NPR's editorial practices and decision-making are independent and free from outside influence, inclusive of any individual or commercial interest or political party," he said."Eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would have a devastating impact on American communities across the nation that rely on public radio for trusted local and national news, culture, lifesaving emergency alerts, and public safety information. As a system, we serve the public interest," he added."Public radio serves 99% of the population over the air, counters the growth of local news deserts across the country, and, in some cases, may be a community's only source of daily, local news from journalists who live in and know their communities."What we're watching: The order is likely to be challenged in court.Federal judges have blocked Trump administration efforts to gut congressionally approved funds for agencies overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media.Representatives for PBS did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment in the evening.Go deeper: U.S. press freedom falls to historical low Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from an NPR spokesperson, more details from the order and further context.

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