MURRAY – In a move that has drawn national attention and legal scrutiny, President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week, directing federal agencies to cut financial support to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcast System (PBS), raising deep concerns for local affiliates like Murray State University’s NPR-affiliate radio station, WKMS.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CBP) provides these broadcasters with roughly half a billion dollars in public money. The order, titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media,” aims to cease these funds and bar the CPB from allocating money to stations that purchase programming from these national networks.

WKMS relies on approximately $215,000 annually from CPB – about 14.6% of its operating budget, Station Manager Asia Burnett told station members in an email on Friday. This funding supports:

• National NPR and PBS programming,
• Local news and journalism,
• Emergency alert services, and
• Broadcast infrastructure.

Burnett clarified that the executive order does not close public media stations and does not affect private donations, which make up the majority of its funding. However, financial ripple effects could be significant, particularly for smaller, rural stations like WKMS, which serve communities with limited media alternatives.

“While the exact impacts on local stations are yet to be determined, this executive action, which will likely face legal challenges, represents a clear escalation in attempts to dismantle the public media system,” she wrote.

A larger assault on press freedom

One of the major controversies surrounding the executive order is the question of authority. Congress created CPB in 1967 as a nonprofit corporation independent of the executive branch. “CPB was created by Congress, not by the White House, so the executive branch has no authority over its governance,” reports PBS NewsHour journalist William Brangham.

Despite that, the Trump administration is pushing ahead with, what appears to be part of, a broader strategic campaign against institutions that challenge the president’s agenda. 

Republicans accused NPR and PBS, the nation’s two largest public media networks, of institutional bias in a recent hearing before a House subcommittee on government efficiency. NPR reported that “lawmakers learned that public broadcasting is the only source of news and emergency broadcasts in some parts of the country.” Yet the administration continues to frame these outlets as partisan.

“NPR and PBS have fueled partisanship and left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars,” reads a fact sheet from the White House, “which is highly inappropriate and an improper use of taxpayers’ money, as President Trump has stated.”

The executive order comes amid ongoing tensions between Trump and the press/news media, which he has referred to as an “enemy of the people.” To some, the rhetorical attacks combined with policy actions represent a dangerous erosion of democratic norms. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), press freedoms in the United States have dropped to historical lows.

“After a century of gradual expansion of press rights in the United States, the country is experiencing its first significant and prolonged decline in press freedom in modern history, and Donald Trump’s return to the presidency is greatly exacerbating the situation,” RSF reported, attributing the decline to a combination of financial instability in the media industry, public distrust in journalism and political interference.

WKMS reaffirms its mission

In response to the order, WKMS reaffirmed its mission to serve as a source of trusted, inclusive media. “Nothing in this executive order alters why we exist: to create and protect a public square where people across our region can come together – digitally and in real life – to build culture, empower students, champion the arts and local music, share essential information, and strengthen communities,” Burnett wrote.

Though the executive order has been signed, many of its provisions will likely face legal challenges, particularly its attempt to control how CPB allocates funds. Because the CPB is independent and congressionally authorized, any permanent change to its structure or spending powers may ultimately require legislative action.

In the meantime, local stations like WKMS are urging listeners to continue supporting their work through donations, memberships and advocacy for public media. Burnett urged members to contact their representatives directly or visit Protect My Public Media.

Editor’s note: Laura Ray is a host on WKMS’ Music from the Front Porch. Also, The Sentinel’s Board Chair is employed by the CPB; however, this story was written without input from our board of directors.