Washington D.C. A bill to defund National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is gaining traction among House Republicans, following accusations of biased reporting. Representative Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) announced his intention to introduce the legislation after a hearing held by the DOGE Subcommittee, where witnesses testified about alleged instances of NPR and PBS promoting Democratic viewpoints.
"For too long, American taxpayers have been forced to foot the bill for news organizations that consistently push Democrat talking points," Jackson stated. "NPR and PBS receive significant government funding, yet their reporting often reflects a clear partisan slant. This bill will ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize biased media outlets."
The proposed legislation would eliminate all federal funding for NPR and PBS, requiring the organizations to rely solely on private donations and commercial revenue. Supporters of the bill argue that this would promote fairness and accountability in broadcasting.
Critics of the proposal argue that defunding NPR and PBS would disproportionately harm rural communities and low-income individuals who rely on these networks for news, educational programming, and cultural content. They also contend that the move is a politically motivated attack on independent journalism.
The bill's future remains uncertain, as it faces opposition from Democrats and moderate Republicans. The debate over the role of government funding in public broadcasting is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
GOP Bill Seeks to Defund NPR and PBS Over Bias Claims
Republican lawmakers are pushing to cut federal funding for NPR and PBS, alleging the news organizations exhibit consistent bias. The move follows a recent congressional hearing where concerns were raised about the networks' objectivity. Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas is spearheading the effort, arguing that taxpayer dollars should not support organizations perceived as promoting partisan agendas. The proposed legislation has sparked debate about media neutrality and the role of government funding in public broadcasting.