Staff Reports
The congressional hearing last March 26, 2025, featuring NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger, underscored the growing frustration among conservative lawmakers regarding taxpayer-funded media organizations. Led by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the session highlighted accusations of liberal bias and alleged misuse of public funds by NPR and PBS. Greene, alongside other Republicans, called for the defunding and dismantling of these entities, citing their perceived failure to represent diverse perspectives and their alignment with progressive ideologies.
A focal point of the hearing was Maher’s admission that NPR had mishandled its coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop controversy. This acknowledgment, coupled with her past social media posts labeling former President Donald Trump as a “racist” and “sociopath,” fueled Republican critiques of NPR’s editorial bias. Greene systematically challenged Maher on these issues, exposing what many conservatives view as a pattern of ideological conformity within publicly funded media. PBS also faced scrutiny for programming that critics described as promoting leftist gender ideologies, further amplifying calls for accountability.
The hearing raised broader concerns about the role of taxpayer dollars in funding institutions accused of catering to elite urban liberals while neglecting rural and conservative audiences. Greene pointed to declining viewership among working-class Americans, arguing that NPR and PBS have become echo chambers disconnected from the values of middle America. Conservative commentators emphasized the need for public broadcasters to either reform their content or operate independently without government subsidies.
Maher and Kerger defended their organizations by highlighting their contributions to education and community engagement. However, Republican lawmakers were largely unmoved, asserting that public broadcasting has lost relevance in an era dominated by internet-based news platforms. Rep. James Comer argued that federal funding for NPR and PBS should be redirected to more pressing priorities, given the nation’s $36 trillion debt and annual deficits.
This hearing serves as a rallying cry for conservatives advocating fiscal responsibility and media reform. The demand for transparency and impartiality in publicly funded media reflects broader concerns about ideological bias in American institutions. As Greene stated during the hearing, “Taxpayer dollars should not be used to suppress truth or promote partisan agendas.” The debate over NPR and PBS funding is likely to intensify as lawmakers push for greater accountability in government spending.
