Media News Daily: Top Stories for 03/27/2025

Survey Shows Plurality of Americans Support Continued Funding for NPR and PBS

A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that 43% of Americans believe federal funding for NPR and PBS should remain unchanged, while 24% support ending it. The findings coincide with a House subcommittee hearing where NPR and PBS executives, Katherine Maher and Paula Kerger, were questioned over perceived political bias and the necessity of public broadcasting. Republican lawmakers criticized the outlets for alleged liberal leanings, citing past controversies and questioning the need for federal support. Maher and Kerger defended the value of public media, especially for rural communities and emergency communication. Despite federal funds comprising a small part of their budgets, the leaders emphasized the critical role such support plays for smaller stations. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

Republicans Intensify Push to Defund Public Broadcasting

During the “Delivering on Government Efficiency” subcommittee hearing titled “Anti-American Airwaves,” House Republicans intensified efforts to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene accused NPR and PBS of suppressing truth and called for CPB’s dismantling. Testimony from NPR’s Maher and PBS’ Kerger underscored the essential services provided by public media, especially in underserved areas. Democrats countered that the hearing was politically motivated and deflected attention from more pressing national issues. CPB currently receives $535 million in annual federal funding. (Read More) (Poynter Rating)

RSF Condemns Turkey’s Imprisonment of Journalists Covering Protests

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the imprisonment of four journalists in Istanbul who were arrested while covering protests following the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu. The journalists, including AFP’s Yasin Akgül and freelancers Bülent Kılıç and Zeynep Kuray, are accused of participating in unauthorized demonstrations under Law 2911. RSF criticized the decision as a politically motivated misuse of judicial power and called for their immediate release. The case marks a significant escalation in Turkey’s crackdown on press freedom. (Read More) (RSF Rating)