NPR Controversy Sparks Renewed Calls for Defunding

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The resignation of Uri Berliner, a veteran editor at National Public Radio (NPR), who accused the broadcaster of liberal bias, has reignited Republican calls to withdraw federal funding. Berliner’s essay for The Free Press, claiming NPR’s left-leaning bias has intensified, sparked controversy.

Berliner wrote, “It’s true NPR has always had a liberal bent, but during most of my tenure here, an open-minded, curious culture prevailed… In recent years, however, that has changed.” His suspension for violating NPR’s rules about external work without permission escalated the backlash, culminating in his resignation.

In his resignation letter, he criticized NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher, writing, “I respect the integrity of my colleagues and wish for NPR to thrive and do important journalism… But I cannot work in a newsroom where I am disparaged by a new CEO whose divisive views confirm the very problems I cite in my Free Press essay.”

The controversy has renewed GOP calls to strip NPR of its Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funds. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., told Fox News, “It makes no sense that the American people are forced to fund a propagandist left-wing outlet that refuses to represent the voices of half the country. NPR should not receive our tax dollars’.” Former President Donald Trump also called for defunding NPR, writing on his social media platform, “NO MORE FUNDING FOR NPR, A TOTAL SCAM!”

However, any such bill would likely fail in the Democratic Senate and be opposed by President Joe Biden. NPR, which has faced accusations of partisan bias for years, states that government funding accounts for less than 1% of its annual operating budget, with most of it coming from private sponsorships and member station dues. Despite this, the backlash could potentially slow down private donations, which form the majority of NPR’s revenue.