From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!
Thursday, January 30, 2025
On Thursday, US Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr announced that he had launched an investigation into NPR and PBS.
He suspected that the outlets were airing commercials.
“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials. […] In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements,” he said.
Public broadcasting stations are reeeeeally not supposed to be airing commercials. Instead, they are supposed to use what are called “corporate underwriting spots,” and from what I currently understand, these do not contain “calls to action,” as is common with the modern commercial advertisement.
The CEO’s of both outlets denied charges that they had been airing commercials.
Paula A. Kerger, president of PBS said, “PBS is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations. […] We work diligently to comply with the FCC’s underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission.” Then Katherine Maher, president of NPR said, “We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR’s adherence to these rules […] We have worked for decades with the FCC in support of noncommercial educational broadcasters who provide essential information, educational programming, and emergency alerts to local communities across the United States.”
I do not personally know if this guy’s report is a load of baloney yet or not. I will continue my research. I have only read one article so far.
