FCC investigates NPR, PBS over commercial allegations — under Chairman Brendan Carr, the investigation was initiated into National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) regarding allegations of airing commercial advertisements, which is prohibited for non-commercial educational broadcast stations.

This investigation focuses on whether the underwriting announcements by NPR and PBS member stations cross the line into what could be considered commercial advertising.

Underwriting announcements are a form of acknowledgment for the financial support provided by sponsors but are meant to be distinct from commercial advertisements.

According to federal law, specifically Section 399B of the Communications Act, non-commercial stations must not air commercials on behalf of for-profit entities. Instead, they are allowed to acknowledge corporate underwriting, which should not include calls to action or promote products/services directly.

Both NPR and PBS have responded to these allegations by asserting that their practices comply with FCC regulations.

NPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger have stated that their organizations work diligently to adhere to these regulations, with NPR specifically mentioning its long history of cooperation with the FCC on such matters.

The investigation comes at a time when there is political debate over public funding for NPR and PBS, with some lawmakers considering cutting off these subsidies.

The potential findings of this investigation could influence those discussions, as Chairman Carr has indicated in his communications with Congress that this inquiry might be relevant to the ongoing legislative debate about funding public media.

This development has sparked varied reactions, with some seeing it as an attack on public media, while others view it as necessary scrutiny to ensure legal compliance.

Critics of the investigation, including Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, have expressed concerns that it might intimidate public broadcasters and threaten the free flow of information.

Conversely, supporters argue it ensures that public media adheres to its non-commercial mandate.

The debate is also fueled by broader political contexts, where NPR and PBS have been accused by some conservative groups of having a liberal bias, leading to calls for reduced or eliminated government funding.

However, public broadcasting has traditionally received bipartisan support due to its educational and cultural contributions, particularly in underserved communities.

Kristi Noem, the former Governor of South Dakota, was sworn in as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on January 25, 2025.

Her confirmation by the U.S. Senate was by a vote of 59 to 34, making her the 8th Secretary of DHS.

This appointment positions her to oversee President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, including plans for mass deportations and border security enhancements.

Noem’s confirmation followed a contentious period where she was criticized for various reasons, including her handling of the COVID-19 response and personal controversies, such as the incident she detailed in her book about killing her family dog.

Despite these criticisms, she was supported by Trump for her strong stance on border security, having previously deployed South Dakota National Guard troops to assist Texas with border control.

Her role will involve managing a department responsible for immigration enforcement, disaster response, cybersecurity, and protecting critical infrastructure, among other duties.

Her appointment has stirred debate, with some Democrats and critics expressing concerns over her understanding of broader national security issues beyond immigration.

In her new position, Kristi Noem has pledged to work closely with Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, to secure the border and has emphasized the importance of empowering law enforcement and ensuring safety from terrorism and cyber threats.

Her confirmation has been seen by supporters as a commitment to Trump’s agenda of stringent border control and immigration reform, while critics worry about the implications for civil liberties and the department’s other responsibilities.

Notes:

On November 14, 2016, Noem announced that she would run for governor of South Dakota in 2018 rather than seek reelection to Congress.

Noem was sworn in as governor of South Dakota on January 5, 2019, the first woman in that office in the state.

On November 12, 2021, Noem announced that she was running for reelection as governor.

Despite predictions of a competitive race, Noem flipped 17 counties that had previously voted Democratic and set a record for the most votes received by a candidate for governor in South Dakota.