PBS Chief called Donald Trump a ‘illegal’ order to cut public media funds

Paula Carger, President and CEO of the American Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), on Friday criticized President Donald Trump for his latest executive order, who wants to cut federal funding for PBS and National Public Radio (NPR).
Paula called it “clearly illegal” and threatened to their ability to serve the public with educational materials.
Kargar said that the PBS is reviewing all available options in response to the order, stating that he endangs the organization’s five -decade mission to educate and inform Americans through public broadcasting. “We are currently searching for all options to allow PBS to continue service to our member stations and all Americans,” he said in a statement.
The Executive Order signed late Thursday night directs the corporation to stop public broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies to stop all funding to PBS and NPR, accusing them of “bias” in their coverage.
The White House further claimed in a social media post that two outlets “get millions of people from taxpayers to spread radicals, promoted as ‘news’.”
However, CPB – a non -profit organization that distributes federal funds to public media – said it is not a federal executive agency and hence not subject to the President’s instructions. Earlier in the week, Trump announced a firing of three of the five board members of the CPB and was immediately sued by the CPB to stop it.
Most of the public funds for PBS and NPR is directed to local stations, especially those who rely much on government support for operating. Media advocates have warned that the proposed deduction may crip these stations, which often serve rural and understanding communities.
While Republican efforts to cut public broadcasting funding are not new, it has been seen as the most serious threat in the history of PBS and NPR by many in the latest step industry. Supervisors see it as part of a comprehensive campaign by Trump’s administration to destroy such institutions that they consider ideologically as opposition.
Since starting his second term in January, President Trump has cut major funding in areas such as art, education and culture. He has also tried to change famous institutions such as John F. Kennedy Center and national settlement for humanities. In addition, he wants to give federal money to universities and law firms, if they remove diversity programs and other efforts that he does not support.
Two weeks ago, the White House said it plans to cancel the Congress to cancel the funding for the CPB as part of the $ 9.1 billion budget cut. However, the official request Capital Hill has not been sent yet.
The move against PBS and NPR comes with Trump’s ongoing effort to destroy the American agency for global media – which oversees the voice of America and radio free Europe/radio liberty. The agency was designed to gather independent news globally in societies that ban the press. The federal courts have already intervened in several cases, finding that the administration has abolished its rights in keeping the appropriated funds for outlets for outlets.