Results for: NPR

Senator Ted Cruz has accused National Public Radio (NPR) of bias, alleging that wealthy left-leaning donors and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals are influencing editorial decisions. Cruz, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, wrote a letter to NPR CEO Katherine Maher demanding assurances that the organization is not taking editorial cues from donors or DEI standards. He highlighted NPR’s funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which receives federal funding, as well as donations from wealthy benefactors. Cruz claims that NPR’s coverage aligns with the interests of these donors, suggesting that their contributions are influencing editorial decisions. He pointed to several examples of specific donors and NPR coverage that appeared to align with each contributor’s beliefs. NPR has denied these accusations, stating that their newsroom is independent and free from outside influence.

NPR president Katherine Maher has met with Senator Kevin Cramer and announced a new layer of editorial review in response to allegations of political bias at the organization. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Cramer acknowledged Maher’s recognition of the problem as a positive step. The meeting comes after a former senior editor’s essay raised concerns about the apparent absence of Republican voices in editorial positions and questioned editorial decisions on topics such as the Trump-Russia collusion allegations, Hunter Biden’s laptop, and the origins of COVID-19. Senator Cramer noted his appreciation for Maher’s efforts to address balance and fairness but raised concerns about the potential for bias in the implementation of the new editorial review layer. Despite NPR’s actions, Cramer indicated that defunding remains a possibility.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee has summoned NPR CEO Katherine Maher to testify before Congress on allegations of liberal bias within the publicly funded radio organization. Former NPR editor Uri Berliner has accused the outlet of mishandling stories related to Hunter Biden’s laptop and COVID-19 lab leak theories, while also claiming that registered Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans in the newsroom.

The recent allegations of liberal bias at National Public Radio (NPR) have reignited calls to defund the organization. However, experts believe that such efforts are unlikely to succeed and may even backfire, making NPR more liberal and less accountable. Defunding NPR, a non-profit entity, would require Congressional action and would not necessarily eliminate its tax-exempt status. Major left-liberal philanthropic organizations would likely step in to fill the funding gap, leading to further influence over NPR’s content. Moreover, over a thousand local public radio stations have tax-exempt status and receive funding from NPR, ensuring a continued flow of taxpayer dollars indirectly. Instead of defunding, Congress should focus on increasing oversight of NPR’s public broadcasting appropriations, including hearings on geographic and demographic diversity and program grants.

Katherine Maher, the chief executive of NPR, has defended her previous “woke” social media comments and dismissed internal turmoil within the organization following criticism from a veteran staffer about its left-leaning bias. Maher, who became CEO in March, has faced backlash over past remarks on various topics, including the First Amendment, misinformation, and the perceived bias of written history towards the perspective of white men. However, she has emphasized the need to address the organization’s transformation to better fulfill its mission.

NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, has dismissed conservative criticism regarding social media posts she made prior to joining the public broadcaster. Maher asserts that the focus should be on NPR’s necessary transformation to fulfill its mandate rather than on these distractions. Despite facing pressure from both conservatives and NPR staff members, Maher maintains that her political views do not influence her work, as is common in public service roles.

House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-Va.) has introduced the Defund NPR Act, a bill that would block federal funding for NPR. Good alleges that NPR has a clear left-wing bias and that taxpayers should not be forced to fund biased media. Good’s bill would also prohibit public radio stations that receive federal grants from using those funds to purchase content from or pay dues to NPR.