Latest news with #NationalTrustInNewsSummit
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FCC Chairman Launches Investigation Into NPR And PBS Over Program Sponsorships — And Warns About Future Government Funding
New FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has ordered the agency to launch an investigation into underwriting sponsorship announcements that air during PBS and NPR programming, suggesting that they may cross the line 'into prohibited commercial advertisements.' But in a letter to the heads of the two networks — first reported by The New York Times — Carr also warned that the public media was facing another congressional battle over federal funding. More from Deadline Donald Trump Says DEI Is To Blame For D.C. Air Collision Despite Acknowledging That "We Do Not Know What Led To This Crash" MSNBC Hosts Talk About Democrats' Next Big Step In Returning From The Wilderness: Picking A DNC Chair Semafor To Hold "National Trust In News Summit" With Speakers Including Leaders Of CNN, NBCU News Group And New York Times Carr, appointed by Donald Trump to his position, said that he would be sending a copy of his letter to members of Congress because 'I believe this FCC investigation may prove relevant to an ongoing legislative debate. In particular, Congress is actively considering whether to stop requiring taxpayers to subsidize NPR and PBS programming.' He also indicated that he opposed federal funding, given the changes in the media landscape. The FCC's enforcement bureau is being asked to open the investigation, Carr wrote, adding that he is concerned that the PBS and NPR broadcasts 'could be violating the law by airing commercials.' He cited a section of the Communications Act that prohibits a non-commercial station from airing commercials or other promotional announcements 'on behalf of fort-profit entities.' After news of the investigation broke, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, wrote on X, 'This appears to be yet another Administration effort to weaponize the power of the FCC. The FCC has no business intimidating and silencing broadcast media.' Any viewer of PBS' Masterpiece is likely to have seen pre-show announcements for Viking River Cruises, its main sponsor, with scenic images of passengers traveling to scenic European destinations. But there may be subtle differences in donor messaging on public television vs. commercial outlets, as PBS' public editor has noted, with things like a sponsor's 'call to action' prohibited. In a statement in response to the investigation, PBS said that it is 'proud of the noncommercial educational programming we provide to all Americans through our member stations. We work diligently to comply with the FCC's underwriting regulations and welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that to the Commission.' Katherine Maher, president and CEO of NPR, said the network's 'programming and underwriting messaging complies with federal regulations, including the FCC guidelines on underwriting messages for noncommercial educational broadcasters, and Member stations are expected to be in compliance as well. We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR's adherence to these rules.' Conservatives have long targeted federal funding for public television, but efforts to scale back budgets have failed to pass in Congress. In his first term, Trump's administration sought to zero out funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes federal funding to primarily to public media stations, as well as television programming. Its federal appropriation was $535 million in the current fiscal year. But that Trump administration request went nowhere, even with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress. In 2018, Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), who then led a House subcommittee that oversaw funding, was one of its prominent GOP defenders, and he cited strong popular support for the outlay. This term, Trump has enlisted Elon Musk to target the federal bureaucracy, with Musk touting the goal of trimming trillions from the federal budget. Best of Deadline 'Bridgerton' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far 'Knives Out 3': Everything We Know About The Second Rian Johnson Sequel 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Says DEI Is To Blame For D.C. Air Collision Despite Acknowledging That 'We Do Not Know What Led To This Crash'
After mourning the loss of victims in the air collision in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump pivoted quickly to placing the blame. He quickly claimed that he had elevated safety standards only to have Joe Biden lower them, and then more directly blamed diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or DEI. More from Deadline MSNBC Hosts Talk About Democrats' Next Big Step In Returning From The Wilderness: Picking A DNC Chair Semafor To Hold "National Trust In News Summit" With Speakers Including Leaders Of CNN, NBCU News Group And New York Times Channel 4 Boss Warns Against UK "Sliding Into American News Swamp" He singled out former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, claiming that he has been using 'a good line of bullshit' in leading the department, which oversees the FAA. Yet in briefing with reporters at the White House, Trump said that 'we do not know what led to this crash, but we have some strong opinions.' 'We don't know,' Trump said later. 'The helicopter was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and a tragedy occurred.' Asked why he thinks that DEI is to blame, Trump said it was because he had 'common sense.' But he veered in who he thinks he bears responsibility from air traffic controllers to the pilots of the helicopter, saying that they 'should have seen where they are going.' American Eagle flight 5342, operated by American Airlines subsidiary PSA, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. It collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Blackhawk, carrying three people, over the Potomac River. Investigators have not determined fault, as the cause of the crash is still under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board typically takes months or even more than a year to complete and fully determine a cause. Trump continuously blamed Biden and even Barack Obama for their safety standards. But as he took questions from reporters, he was challenged on his attack on hiring language on the FAA website. Trump insisted that he had made reforms to FAA safety standards since coming to office. But soon after the crash on Wednesday evening, a report of another Trump action circulated on social media: He fired the members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. He also fired the heads of the Transportation Security Administration and Coast Guard. More to come. Best of Deadline How to Watch The 67th Annual Grammy Awards Online And With Cable 'A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms': Everything We Know About The 'Game Of Thrones' Prequel, Including Plot, Premiere Date & Whether George R.R. Martin Is Involved 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
