NPR CEO Katherine Maher is voicing strong concern about the future of public media following a move by the Trump administration to eliminate nearly all federal funding for organizations like NPR and PBS. According to a White House official who spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity, the administration has drafted a memo accusing the networks of spreading “radical, woke propaganda, disguised as ‘news.’”
The memo, which outlines the administration’s intent to rescind $1.1 billion in public media funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, is expected to reach Congress when it reconvenes on April 28. That action will trigger a 45-day window for lawmakers to either approve the rescission or allow the funding to be restored.
Testimony Before Congress Highlights Stakes
The funding debate comes on the heels of a tense House Oversight subcommittee hearing in late March, where Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger defended the role of public media amid growing accusations of political bias. Both emphasized their commitment to free, nonpartisan programming.
“We report on the news, and we encourage that we are reaching out to people from all different backgrounds, political persuasions, belief sets,” Maher said. “We want to be able to hear the voices of the American public reflected on public media.”
Member Stations at Risk
While NPR itself receives only about one percent of its operating budget directly from the federal government, Maher stressed that member stations across the country, particularly in rural areas, could face devastating cuts.
“The biggest effect would be on the NPR network, which are the 246 stations around the country,” Maher told All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly. “You could see some of those stations really having to cut back services or potentially going away altogether.”
Of the $250 million allocated annually for public radio, roughly $100 million supports these member stations. Many of them operate in regions with high infrastructure costs and scarce alternative news sources.
Threat to Local Journalism
Maher highlighted the unique role public media plays in filling the local news gap across the U.S. “About 20 percent of Americans live in an area without any other local news coverage other than their local public radio station,” she noted. “This is tremendously important as a public service,” Maher added.
As local newspapers continue to decline, Maher warned that the loss of federal funding could create even deeper “news deserts” across the nation. “If federal funding goes away, that network is absolutely at risk,” she said.
The Role of Public Media in a Digital Age
Maher also addressed criticism that public funding is no longer necessary in an era when anyone can produce content with a smartphone. She countered that assumption by pointing to the lack of digital access in many parts of the country.
“There are many places in this country that do not have that kind of access to either cell phone service or high-speed broadband, where radio may be the only way to reach communities with regular access to news,” she said.
Why Not Walk Away from Federal Support?
In response to the argument that federal funding may compromise editorial independence, Maher argued that public dollars actually reinforce NPR’s mission.
“Public funding ensures that we hold tight to a mission that means reflecting all Americans,” she said. “Most commercial outlets are able to target certain audiences that they want to reach. We have an actual obligation in our mission and in our funding model to try to serve everyone across the country.”
Despite the uncertainty, Maher remains focused on preserving the national public media network. “Would we be able to thrive as a national network?” she asks, adding, “That is what I am focused on.”
