Federally funded media companies just got their quills handed to them, and now it appears they are scrambling to reshuffle their woke practices. Edith Chapin, the editor in chief and acting chief content officer of National Public Radio (NPR) announced she will be leaving the organization later this year while the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and affiliates are looking at layoffs and other budget cuts.
Housekeeping Underway at NPR
Recently, Congress approved a request to cut nearly $9 billion of previously approved funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting. Most of the funding – about $8 billion – was for foreign assistance programs such as USAID, while $1.1 billion is aimed at federally funded media outlets such as NPR and PBS. On the heels of the spending cuts, Chapin announced her exit from the radio company, which praised her work in a press release for her “distinguished tenure marked by transformative journalism, editorial integrity,” and “public service.” NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher gushed about Chapin in a press release, saying:
“Edith Chapin is a leader in journalistic integrity, a champion for the newsroom, calm in the storm – and an indispensable partner during my first year at NPR. Edith laid the foundation for a stronger public radio, and set us on a solid path with her expert navigation. She has led with conviction, clarity, and compassion – always putting the public’s interest first. Her impact on NPR’s journalism and on the many people she mentored and supported over the years is immeasurable.”
Although Chapin insists the decision to leave NPR was not a result of Congress approving President Trump’s rescissions request, one has to wonder if this is entirely accurate. The radio broadcast was not known for unbiased reporting, and much of their content is anti-Trump, against Second Amendment rights, and for abortion rights – all left-leaning talking points. CEO Maher has even referred to the commander-in-chief as a “deranged racist” and a “fascist,” clearly not the basis of good, honest journalism without bias.
Maher says the cuts represent “an unwarranted dismantling of beloved local civic institutions, and an act of Congress that disregards the public will.” But not all US taxpayers agree with NPR’s biased reporting.
PBS and NPR still receive a lot of funding from other sources, so it is unlikely they will shut down. Whether they will change their woke policies and start reporting as originally intended remains to be seen. Smaller public broadcast networks will likely suffer the most, especially those in rural areas without a lot of funding to keep them above water.
The premise behind withdrawing federal funds to public broadcasting outlets is that these monies should be gained through public donations, not subsidized by the government – and US taxpayers. However, for years Republicans have been trying to stop the flow of money into these organizations that are supposed to serve the public – all the public – but instead cater to the leftist ideologies. For too long, NPR has been happily taking the $500 million a year from taxpayers while continuing to insult half the nation. Some might call this biting the hand that feeds them, and they’re learning the cost.
