FCC investigates NPR, PBS over commercial allegations — under Chairman Brendan Carr, the investigation was initiated into National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) regarding allegations of airing commercial advertisements, which is prohibited for non-commercial educational broadcast stations.
This investigation focuses on whether the underwriting announcements by NPR and PBS member stations cross the line into what could be considered commercial advertising.
Underwriting announcements are a form of acknowledgment for the financial support provided by sponsors but are meant to be distinct from commercial advertisements.
According to federal law, specifically Section 399B of the Communications Act, non-commercial stations must not air commercials on behalf of for-profit entities. Instead, they are allowed to acknowledge corporate underwriting, which should not include calls to action or promote products/services directly.
Both NPR and PBS have responded to these allegations by asserting that their practices comply with FCC regulations.
NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger have stated that their organizations work diligently to adhere to these regulations, with NPR specifically mentioning its long history of cooperation with the FCC on such matters.
The investigation comes at a time when there is political debate over public funding for NPR and PBS, with some lawmakers considering cutting off these subsidies.
The potential findings of this investigation could influence those discussions, as Chairman Carr has indicated in his communications with Congress that this inquiry might be relevant to the ongoing legislative debate about funding public media.
This development has sparked varied reactions, with some seeing it as an attack on public media, while others view it as necessary scrutiny to ensure legal compliance.
Critics of the investigation, including Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, have expressed concerns that it might intimidate public broadcasters and threaten the free flow of information.
Conversely, supporters argue it ensures that public media adheres to its non-commercial mandate.
The debate is also fueled by broader political contexts, where NPR and PBS have been accused by some conservative groups of having a liberal bias, leading to calls for reduced or eliminated government funding.
However, public broadcasting has traditionally received bipartisan support due to its educational and cultural contributions, particularly in underserved communities.
