On World Press Freedom Day, Donald Trump signed an order to defund public broadcasting, directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to halt federal funding for NPR and PBS. This action aligns with a longstanding conservative view that public media often promotes liberal viewpoints, as articulated in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 agenda. Critics argue the order misrepresents NPR and PBS, which have historically included a range of perspectives, including conservative voices.
Additionally, they highlight that much of public media’s funding now comes from private sources rather than the government. Experts express concern that this executive order signifies a threat to journalistic independence and democracy, labeling it as part of an authoritarian agenda. Craig Aaron from Free Press underscores the importance of defending public media in the fight for accountability and democracy.
