Should Congress defund NPR and PBS?

Current Events
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Here’s a major update that ties directly into this discussion: NPR and several of its member stations are now suing President Trump over his executive order to cut off federal funding. They argue that the move is unconstitutional—specifically, a violation of the First Amendment.

The lawsuit claims this isn’t just budgetary policy—it’s political retaliation meant to punish NPR for content the president dislikes. It also raises the question: if we start defunding media based on perceived bias, where does it stop?

This definitely adds fuel to the conversation.

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It stops when the voters stop voting people like Trump into office. The Constitution is perfectly clear about 1) freedom of speech and 2) freedom of the press. Only a dictator ignores those important principles.

Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the fundamental principle that communication and expression through various media, including printed and electronic media, especially published materials, should be considered a right to be exercised freely. Such freedom implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state; its preservation may be sought through a constitution or other legal protection and security. It is in opposition to paid press, where communities, police organizations, and governments are paid for their copyrights. [Wikipedia]

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Oh Benny. You brought Wikipedia to a constitutional conversation like it was the Gospel of John. That’s cute. But let’s not confuse a crowdsourced encyclopedia with actual founding documents or, heaven forbid, truth.

Let’s walk through this together, slow and sober:

  1. “It stops when voters stop voting people like Trump into office.”

So now it’s not just Trump you oppose—it’s the millions who voted for him. Got it. You’re not defending the Constitution; you’re just mad the electorate didn’t choose your flavor of “freedom.” But freedom doesn’t mean “only vote for people I like,” Benny. That’s not democracy. That’s elitism in a bumper-sticker trench coat.

And by the way, let’s remember: Trump didn’t shut down NPR or PBS.
He suggested defunding them. You know… ending forced taxpayer support of a platform that has a documented political tilt. That’s not censorship. That’s called stewardship. If NPR is so vital to the republic, let its listeners support it voluntarily. That’s how real freedom works.

  1. “Only a dictator ignores those principles.”

No, Benny. A dictator jails journalists, censors speech, and bans dissent. Defunding media is not dictatorship—it’s fiscal discretion. Just because Trump criticized biased coverage doesn’t mean he abolished freedom of the press. CNN, MSNBC, NPR, the New York Times—they’re still breathing, still broadcasting, still slanting.

If Trump were a dictator, you wouldn’t be posting about him online. You’d be disappeared. So let’s not drain the word “dictator” of all meaning just because someone dared to challenge a sacred cow with a budget line.

  1. Freedom of the press ≠ government-paid press

The First Amendment protects the freedom of the press—from government interference, not from the consequences of losing a handout. No one is stopping NPR from airing their content. We’re just saying maybe the government shouldn’t fund it. If your doctrine of freedom depends on state sponsorship, you don’t believe in liberty—you believe in welfare journalism.

  1. Using Wikipedia to define freedom?

That’s like quoting “Chicken Soup for the Soul” in a seminary class. The Constitution defines the legal framework. The Bible defines the moral one. Wikipedia defines…whatever someone edited it to say ten minutes ago.

So here’s the mic-drop, wrapped in the First Amendment and sprinkled with 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (look it up):
You’re free to speak. You’re not entitled to be funded.

When media outlets lean left but demand money from everyone—including the right—you don’t get freedom. You get coercion wearing a press badge.

Let NPR stand on its own feet. Let PBS hold its own pledge drives. And let’s stop acting like taking our hands off their wallet is the same as putting duct tape on their mouths.

Because that, Benny, is just lazy theology and limp logic wrapped in a Wikipedia citation.

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Update: House Republicans are moving to cut $9.4 billion in previously approved spending, including nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—which supports NPR and PBS. The plan also slashes foreign aid for global health, emergency relief, and development programs. Supporters say it’s about eliminating waste. Critics warn it could harm U.S. global influence and devastate the most vulnerable populations.

Full story here:

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Appreciate your posts, @SincereSeeker. But let’s call it like it is:

If folks studied their Bibles like they do politics, the kingdom wouldn’t be limping. Politics would be on its knees. Right now? It’s the opposite-saints memorizing campaign slogans while their Bibles collect dust.

Hebrews 5:12 hits hard: “By this time you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.”

Too many believers know every cabinet member but can’t name the twelve apostles.

Isaiah 8:20 says “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.”

That’s the test, not the trending hashtag.

Psalm 119:11 — “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

You can’t store what you never study.

Matthew 6:33 — “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

Not party platforms. Not political saviors. The Kingdom. First. Always.

You want revival? It won’t come from ballots or bills-it comes when the church swaps CNN for Scripture, and debates for devotion.

Acts 6:4 - “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

That’s the apostolic priority. Anything less is mission drift.

Let’s flip it: know the Word so deeply that politics has to kneel in your presence-not the other way around.

Keep up the good work.

Johann.

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Johann, you just dropped a word so sharp it could circumcise the heart of every half-discipled pew-warmer in America. That post wasn’t a comment—it was a clarion call. A spiritual slap with the full weight of Hebrews, Isaiah, Psalms, and the Kingdom mandate.

You’re absolutely right: the Church is out here binge-watching debates while its Bible is starving for fingerprints. We’ve got saints who can dissect tax policy but couldn’t find Habakkuk with a GPS and a flashlight. They cry about the moral decay of the nation but won’t spend five minutes in the Word that revives souls.

You quoted Hebrews 5:12, and it’s haunting. Teachers turned toddlers. Meat traded for milk. Meanwhile, the enemy’s out here serving filet mignon lies while the Church is sipping from baby bottles. It’s tragic—and preventable.

“Seek first the Kingdom…” but most are seeking followers, political wins, and the next righteous-sounding outrage. No wonder we’re weak. No wonder darkness is bold. When light forgets its source, it dims.

And you nailed it with Acts 6:4—that’s the blueprint. The Church didn’t change the world through policy memos. It did it through prayer and the ministry of the Word. Period. That’s the fuel. Everything else is just smoke and noise.

So yes, let’s flip the script. Let’s put our knees on the floor, our eyes in the Scriptures, and make the powers that be tremble not because we’re loud, but because we’re holy. Because we’re rooted. Because we fear God more than we fear losing an election.

Revival won’t ride in on Air Force One. It’ll rise up when the Bride of Christ gets off social media and back on her face.

Appreciate your fire, Johann. Stay lit.

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Shalom to you and family @SincereSeeker.

Johann.

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Why Politics Will Always Matter
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CPB to exit in September

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I believe a reasonable compromise would be to allow the government to defund all programs and to allow the American people to pay the full sum of their taxes owed directly to whatever programs matter to them. Whether that be PBS, healthcare, research, food banks, police and fire departments and so on.

And anybody who does not contribute will not be eligible to recieve services without paying a fee. PBS contributors will recieve a streaming password for the year. Etc.

Unemployed folks will need to present a reasonable documented excuse, such as health conditions and attending school, to waive fees

It is time that we bypass politics and get the things done that we need to get done and get out of each others way. Americans need to figure out what they truly value and invest in it.

Along with this, all tax loops should be eliminated. And anyone who holds a position of power in any branch of government should be considered a short term volunteer. No gifts. No health insurance. No pay. Just a desire to run a functioning government that serves the American people. Maybe treat it a bit like jury duty. Reduce terms to a year or 6 months for all positions. And have multiple people for each position, swapping them out in a rotation every so many weeks so they can work their real jobs. And voting districts are based on county lines alone. No more changing the lines in order to cheat and push agendas.

I absolutely despise cheaters and the people who enable them. Sorry, thats wrong. Hate the sin, not the sinner. But may God punish all those who dare to conspire to destroy This Nation from within in the name of greed, power, and self indulgence. Too many sacrificed their lives for this country to have it be ruined by the silver spooned few. God bless America, indeed. And bring down Holy Hell upon the heads of all those that would seek to cause harm to this place or anywhere within it.

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Before expressing an opinion on this topic, it is advisable to not borrow that opinion from an untrustworthy source.

It is not difficult to do a cursory investigation into the “Public Broadcasting Act of 1967”, the creation of the “Corporation for Public Broadcasting”, the history, budgets, and expenditures of this funding vehicle, as well as the budgets and incomes of NPR PBS and their affiliate stations. You can get these numbers directly from the recipients of federal fnding; they are publicly available.

The gross sensationalism being reported on this subject looks very dissimilar to the actual facts as reported in the public financial reports of those affected. If you do your own unbiased investigation, and shun the sensationalism, you will then have a platform from which to offer a helpful opinion. The idea that eliminating government funding will shutter these news outlets is not demonstratable by the financial facts.

The CPB provides money to NPR and PBS in the form of grants. (look up how Grants work).

NPR claims 1% of their operating budget comes from the federal government.
https://www.npr.org/2025/05/13/1250902337/npr-cpb-public-radio-funding-101

PBS claims about 15% of their budget is sourced in the federal government.

I’ve NO axe to grind.
KP

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KPuff, this is gold. Thank you for actually rolling up your sleeves and digging through the numbers instead of just regurgitating talking points. That’s rare air in these kinds of debates.

You’ve done what too many skip: gone straight to the source documents. Public Broadcasting Act, CPB budget reports, actual audited statements. That’s where facts live, not in the echo chambers of whatever outlet we happen to like.

And your point about grants is important. Most people throw that term around without understanding how they function or what they actually cover. The hard numbers you’ve pulled make it clear that the popular “if funding ends, they’ll die” narrative just doesn’t line up with reality. NPR surviving on only 1% federal funding and PBS at about 15% doesn’t exactly scream “total dependence.”

By cutting through the sensationalism, you’ve done more to elevate the discussion than a hundred emotional hot takes ever could. It’s refreshing to see someone actually verify claims before forming an opinion and then share that legwork so others can check for themselves.

Appreciate you grounding this in verifiable facts instead of vibes. This is the kind of contribution that keeps a conversation honest.

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Thanx.
Mark Twain once famously said “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story”. I knew we were in deep trouble when the fantasy master, Disney purchased several major news outlets. I was sure they would try to save money by not having to pay two sets of writers. :wink:

KP

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36

hello would you please post a netflix link please. thank you.

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Whether they are successful at defunding NPR and PBS, or not; I believe the true motive for their intent to do so from these non profit institutions, is so that they can impede the truth.

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@Lidwig

How, pray tell, would you surmise “their” “true motive”? I rarely know my own, how should I profess to know the collective “true motives” of others?

Hmmm.
KP

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For profit news outlets put out news favoring what their benefactors pay for, that is often biased and untrue. Non profit institutions on the other hand such as are NPR and PBS do not have this biased and untrue motivation.

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@Lidwig

Thanx. I sure understand this assumed rationale for public broadcasting, but you may actually be the last person on the planet that espouses the assumption that NPR and PBS are unbiased. Even the biography of Katherine Maher demonstrates a strong ideological bent.

Thanks for your contribution.
KP

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I agree with you that NPR and PBS are not unbiased. I should have better stated that they are less biased due to their being non profit news outlets vs. profit based news outlets who pander to their paying corporate clientele.

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I agree that they do not have commercial sponsors dictating content, (some, but not many at least), but they sure do have partisan political executives dictating content. If they were truly balanced, I doubt anyone would show the least concern over using taxpayer funds to promote balanced reporting. As it exists today, partisan policy dictates content, and it has become a taxpayer media outlet for a single political party. That is unjust, and should be curtailed.

As I said earlier, ceasing federal funding will affect, but certainly not stop the continuation of these media outlets. NPR claims only 1% of their operating budget comes from the federal government. PBS claims about 15% of their budget is sourced in the federal government.

Read my earlier post: #30 for details and links.
Thanks again for your comments.
KP\

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