Springfield, MA | By Sara Bien-Aime, 22 News
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to stop federal funding for National Public Radio and PBS, for what he called biased and partisan news coverage.
Congressman Richard Neal told 22News that this order is based on revenge and chaos.
On May 2, 2025, the White House said in a statement that NPR and PBS have received “tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds each year.”
Therefore, President Donald Trump’s executive order is directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease federal funding for both networks to the extent allowed by law.
The order can be challenged in court. Congressman Neal says this order is an issue with freedom of speech.
“I think what’s underestimated here is the role that NPR and PBS play in everyday life, it’s part of the conversation we have,” said Congressman Richard Neal.
According to NPR and PBS, they receive roughly half a billion dollars in public funds and earn money from sponsorship. NPR said less than 1% of its funding comes from public sources.
Both networks have served the public with educational programming for more than 50 years.
