Republican lawmakers and officials are intensifying calls to defund National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), citing perceived bias against conservative viewpoints. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' spokesman has publicly supported the defunding, echoing sentiments expressed by former President Donald Trump. Critics argue that NPR and PBS are biased, with claims of a disproportionate number of registered Democrats among NPR staff and a skewed reporting style favoring left-leaning narratives. Recent analyses reportedly show a 96% to 4% bias in PBS's use of terms like 'far right' compared to 'far left'. This renewed push to cut taxpayer funding comes amid broader accusations from Republicans labeling these media outlets as 'communist' and propagandistic. The debate has gained traction in recent hearings focused on the justification for continued federal funding of these public media entities.

NPR CEO Katherine Maher has reiterated the organization's stance on bias, asserting, "NPR is NOT BIASED in its coverage!" during a recent statement. Maher expressed a desire for NPR to have engaged with the Hunter Biden laptop story earlier, indicating a recognition of past criticisms regarding the network's coverage. The comments have sparked a renewed debate among conservatives about the funding of NPR, with calls for defunding the organization resurfacing. GOP Congressman Brandon Gill criticized Maher and NPR staff, claiming they harbor disdain for conservatives, Christians, and white individuals. These remarks reflect a broader sentiment among some lawmakers and commentators who have long advocated for reducing taxpayer support for public broadcasting entities like NPR and PBS.

Calls to defund public broadcasting entities NPR and PBS have intensified, with critics alleging a strong left-wing bias in their reporting. Representative Pat Fallon highlighted that NPR's newsroom comprises 87 registered Democrats and no Republicans, raising concerns about partisanship in taxpayer-funded media. He further noted that PBS provided 88% positive coverage of the Democratic National Convention while offering 72% negative coverage of the Republican National Convention. Fallon argued that such disparities demonstrate a lack of non-partisanship and questioned the justification for taxpayer funding. Other lawmakers, including Representative Eric Burlison and Senator Banks, echoed these sentiments, with Burlison asserting that all 87 members of NPR's editorial board are registered Democrats. Critics have labeled NPR as a source of liberal propaganda, calling for a reevaluation of federal support for these public media organizations.

During a congressional hearing on public broadcasting, NPR CEO Katherine Maher addressed concerns about political bias within the organization. Maher stated that she has 'never seen any instance of political bias determining editorial decisions' at NPR. However, Congressman Jim Jordan challenged this claim by citing a report from former NPR editor Uri Berliner, which indicated that in the Washington, D.C. area, NPR's editorial positions are filled by 87 registered Democrats and zero Republicans. Maher responded that NPR does not track the political affiliations of its employees but acknowledged that such a disparity would be concerning if true. Representative Timmons also questioned Maher about the lack of political diversity on NPR's editorial board, to which Maher agreed that the reported numbers were a concern. The discussion highlighted ongoing debates about NPR's editorial impartiality and its funding by taxpayers.

House Oversight Chairman James Comer criticized National Public Radio (NPR) during a confrontation with its CEO, accusing the organization of spreading misinformation while receiving federal funding. Comer stated, "NPR is propaganda. People that listen to NPR are totally misinformed on the truth," expressing concern over the perceived abuse of federal funds. He highlighted NPR's handling of various issues, including the origins of COVID-19, investigations involving President Biden's family, and claims of Russian collusion, asserting that these topics have been misrepresented by the outlet. Comer's remarks reflect ongoing debates regarding the role of federally funded media in providing accurate information to the public.

Katherine Maher, the CEO of NPR and former head of the Wikimedia Foundation, testified before Congress on March 26, 2025, addressing issues related to truth and bias in media and online platforms. During her testimony, Maher criticized Wikipedia, stating that its editors do not focus on truth and that reverence for truth may hinder consensus-building. She emphasized that for complex disagreements, seeking truth may not be the best starting point. Maher also pointed out Wikipedia's bias, citing a lack of non-binary and gender non-conforming contributors and an overrepresentation of male authors. Her remarks have sparked discussions about the role of truth in journalism and the influence of government funding on media outlets like NPR, which continues to receive taxpayer money.

National Public Radio (NPR) faced internal turmoil after an email was mistakenly sent to the entire newsroom, advising prominent host Ari Shapiro against attending a corporate LGBTQ Pride event. The email, which seemed to reflect pressure from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans, indicated a change in NPR's previous stance, as Shapiro had attended similar events in the past. Following the leak of the email, NPR reversed its decision and allowed Shapiro to participate in the Pride event. This incident has sparked discussions about the implications of external political pressure on public broadcasting and the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A growing movement is advocating for the defunding of National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the United States. Activist groups, including ACT for America and the Media Research Center (MRC), are calling for Congress to stop taxpayer funding for these media outlets, arguing that they represent state-sponsored bias rather than impartial journalism. The MRC recently staged a protest at NPR's Washington, D.C. headquarters, coinciding with a pro-NPR rally where supporters were seen singing songs with characters from Sesame Street. Activists emphasize that public funds should not support media they view as biased, urging citizens to sign petitions and take action against taxpayer-funded press initiatives.

Republican lawmakers, led by Senator Jim Banks of Indiana and Representative Kat Cammack of Florida, have introduced a bill aimed at defunding National Public Radio (NPR), arguing that taxpayer money should not support what they describe as 'liberal propaganda.' The proposal has garnered support from various Republican figures, including Senator John Kennedy, who stated that NPR does not have a right to taxpayer funding. The push to defund NPR is part of a larger critique of taxpayer-funded organizations perceived to promote left-leaning agendas. In related discussions, concerns have been raised about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), which reportedly receives hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and paying high salaries to its executives. Critics argue that such funding should not support what they consider to be biased programming or excessive executive compensation.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an investigation into NPR and PBS, focusing on potential violations of their FCC licenses. Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by former President Donald Trump, stated that the inquiry will examine whether member stations of these publicly funded broadcasters are airing underwriting announcements that may cross into prohibited commercial content. Carr emphasized the importance of holding all broadcasters accountable to public interest obligations. This investigation could influence Congress's decision on whether to continue funding local stations. NPR and PBS have denied any violations, asserting adherence to FCC rules. The investigation follows a letter from Carr to NPR and PBS leadership and comes as the House Subcommittee on Delivering Government Efficiency prepares to hold a hearing on federally funded media. Agency Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the move, calling it an effort to weaponize the FCC's power. The investigation is seen by some as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to scrutinize public media, which has faced longstanding criticism from conservatives over alleged liberal bias.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee's Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), has summoned NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger to testify at a congressional hearing. The hearing aims to address allegations of 'systemically biased content' in their reporting, which Greene argues is funded by taxpayers. The focus of the inquiry includes NPR's refusal to cover the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020, as criticized by former NPR senior editor Uri Berliner, and PBS's characterization of a gesture by Elon Musk as a 'Nazi salute,' which Musk and the Anti-Defamation League have denied. Both NPR and PBS have indicated their willingness to participate in the hearing, emphasizing their commitment to impartial and fact-based journalism. The hearing is scheduled for March, though specific dates have not been set.

Law Professor Jonathan Turley has called for an end to taxpayer funding for National Public Radio (NPR), arguing that the organization no longer reflects the views of most Americans. In his critique, Turley highlighted NPR's lack of audience diversity and accused the network of exhibiting left-wing bias. His comments have resonated with many who believe that NPR's funding should be reconsidered. The discourse around this issue has intensified, with various commentators echoing Turley's sentiments, suggesting that the financial support for NPR may be unsustainable moving forward.