Karissa is a senior reporter at Engadget, covering Meta, Twitter, TikTok, Snap and all things social media. Her interests include tech policy, internet culture, and all the ways our online activities shape our IRL selves.
of the Federal Communications Commission , Brendan Carr has directed the agency to open an investigation into NPR and PBS. Carr informed informed both organizations of the probe in a letter in a letter that was firstIn the letter, Carr says that the public media companies may be running afoul of FCC rules regarding noncommercial educational broadcast stations or NCEs. “I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” he.
FCC guidelines prohibit NCEs from airing the kinds of commercials that typically appear on other TV and radio stations. Sponsors are, however, permitted to “receive on-air acknowledgements,” as Carr notes.In statements, both NPR and PBS said they comply with FCC regulations. “NPR programming and underwriting messaging complies with federal regulations, including the FCC guidelines on underwriting messages for noncommercial educational broadcasters,” NPR CEO Katherine Maher.
A spokesperson for PBS said that the organization “is proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations,” and that “we work diligently to comply with the FCC’s underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission.”
President Donald Trump, who named Carr FCC as chair last year, has made no secret of his disdain for PBS and NPR, which he
Federal Communications Commission PBS Member Stations PBS Broadcasts NPR Programming Educational Programming FCC Noncommercial Educational Underwriting
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