Donald Trump signs executive order cutting funding for NPR and PBSTopic:World Politics1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 4:41amUS President Donald Trump has accused NPR and PBS of spreading "woke" propaganda. (Reuters: Dado Ruvic/Illustration)In short:US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR.The White House said the outlets received "millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news'".The executive order further demands indirect sources of public financing for the news organisations are rooted out.abc.net.au/news/donald-trump-cuts-funding-for-pbs-npr/105244626Link copiedShareShare articleUS President Donald Trump has signed an executive order designed to slash public subsidies for PBS and NPR, alleging "bias" in the broadcasters' reporting. The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies "to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS".It further demands they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organisations.The order, titled Ending Taxpayer Subsidization Of Biased Media, says the media landscape "is filled with abundant, diverse, and innovative news options".US cuts government media fundingPhoto shows The exterior of a building from the street with a sign hanging off the front.US President Donald Trump slashes funding to a government agency that houses multiple media organisations including Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe."Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence," the order reads.The White House, in a social media posting announcing the signing, said the outlets received "millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news''".The broadcasters get roughly half a billion US dollars ($A780 million) in public money through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and have been preparing for the possibility of staff cuts since Mr Trump's election.In comparison, last financial year the ABC received $1.137 billion in Commonwealth funding.NPR says, on average, CPB funding makes up only 1 per cent of its annual operating budget.Government funding makes up about 14 per cent of PBS's total budget, the network says.Individuals contributions, community engagement, production, and corporate support make up the other 86 per cent.Paula Kerger, PBS's CEO and president, said in a statement last month that the Trump administration's effort to rescind funding for public media would "disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide to the American people".PBS airs popular children's programs such as Sesame Street. (X: @elmo)"There's nothing more American than PBS, and our work is only possible because of the bipartisan support we have always received from Congress," she said."This public-private partnership allows us to help prepare millions of children for success in school and in life and also supports enriching and inspiring programs of the highest quality."CPB sued Mr Trump earlier this week over his move to fire three members of its five-person board, contending that the president was exceeding his authority and that the move would deprive the board of a quorum needed to conduct business.Just two weeks ago, the White House said it would ask Congress to rescind funding for the CPB as part of a $US9.1 billion ($14.1 billion) package of cuts.That package, however, which budget director Russell Vought said would likely be the first of several, has not yet been sent to Capitol Hill.The move against PBS and NPR comes as Trump's administration works to dismantle the US Agency for Global Media, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which were designed to model independent news gathering globally in societies that restrict the press.Those efforts have faced pushback from federal courts, which have ruled in some cases that the Trump administration may have overstepped its authority in holding back funds appropriated to the outlets by Congress.AP/ABCPosted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 4:41am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 5:13amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLittle-known entity comparing Dutton to Trump spends more than $400,000 on political Meta adsTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man in front of a billboard which says "the parties are the problem"Vote Compass data reveals key issues for respondents ahead of electionTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A graphic shows a smartphone screen showing a graph.'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows A metal shard embedded in a tyreDutton has 'no doubt' Coalition can win this election, as campaigning nears endLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton speaks at lectern Erin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Popular now'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows A metal shard embedded in a tyreErin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.Candidate labels voters in his electorate 'dumbest on this planet' Topic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man stands in front of a railway level crossingRelated topicsBroadcastingMedia IndustryUnited StatesWorld PoliticsTop StoriesLittle-known entity comparing Dutton to Trump spends more than $400,000 on political Meta adsTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows A man in front of a billboard which says "the parties are the problem"Vote Compass data reveals key issues for respondents ahead of electionTopic:Australian Federal Elections'It's just a disaster': Motorists describe chaos on M1 after scrap metal spillTopic:Road Accidents and IncidentsDutton has 'no doubt' Coalition can win this election, as campaigning nears endTopic:Government and PoliticsErin Patterson sent 'extremely aggressive' texts to estranged husband, court hearsTopic:CourtsJust InCosts and cancellations adding up for fed-up flyers in regional SATopic:Air Transport Industry7m ago7 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amSnowtown killer's parole bid 'slap in the face', says nephew of victimTopic:Homicide23m ago23 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:04amOne Nation staffer reported to corruption watchdog over referrals to law firmTopic:Federal Government34m ago34 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 5:53amHeritage-listed prison building set to become independent schoolTopic:Secondary Education7m ago7 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 6:20amMore Just InBack to top