The Current Head of Trump's FCC is Already Targeting NPR and PBS
Trump's FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, has taken aim at public broadcasters NPR and PBS, announcing an investigation into potential violations of federal law. In a letter to both organizations, Carr expresses concern over underwriting announcements, claiming they might be promotional and resemble advertisements. As federally prohibited noncommercial educational broadcast stations (NCEs), airing commercials would be a no-go. Carr has authorized the FCC's Enforcement Bureau to probe both media giants.
Carr's beef revolves around underwriting announcements. These should only serve identification purposes, providing sponsors' names and nothing more. No comparative or qualitative descriptions, price information, calls to action, or inducements to buy, sell, or lease are allowed. Violating these rules could jeopardize federal funding for NPR and PBS. Carr suggests that some announcements might go beyond the line, which weakens the argument for public funding.
There's a political undertone to this investigation. During a broader crusade against public and independent media outlets, Carr has targeted other networks, accusing them of bias. Conservative critics, including the Trump admin, have long viewed NPR and PBS as liberal and biased against conservatives.
NPR and PBS, however, reject Carr's allegations. They assert that their corporate sponsorship credits and programs adhere to federal regulations and FCC guidelines. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has expressed worry, viewing the investigation as a threat to the free flow of information and the marketplace of ideas. Commissioner Anna Gomez shares a similar opinion, describing Carr's move as an attempt to weaponize the power of the FCC.
In essence, Carr's investigation hinges on the view that some underwriting announcements may breach federal rules by promoting commercial products or services. It's part of a broader effort to challenge public broadcasters and independent media outlets, with NPR and PBS being at the forefront.
The ongoing investigation into NPR and PBS by FCC Chair Carr highlightes his concerns about the future of technology in broadcasting, as any violation of federal rules surrounding underwriting announcements could impact the use of tech in their programming. Furthermore, in the context of tech advancements, this investigation could set a precedent for how future regulatory bodies may handle promotional content in noncommercial educational broadcasts.
