1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

The proposal to investigate NPR and PBS by the FCC chairman raises serious concerns about preserving the independence and integrity of public broadcasting. These networks play a vital role in providing unbiased, educational programming to communities across the country. Any politically motivated attack that threatens their ability to operate freely is an affront to the principles of a free press and open access to information. While the FCC has a responsibility to ensure compliance with regulations, the claim that underwriting announcements violate advertising rules appears to be a pretext for undermining public broadcasting. NPR and PBS have clearly stated their adherence to long-standing guidelines, and this investigation risks setting a dangerous precedent of government overreach and censorship. Public trust in media institutions is already fragile, and any efforts to defund or dismantle public broadcasting networks would further erode access to reliable, fact-based journalism. We must safeguard these invaluable resources that enrich our democracy by informing citizens and fostering civic engagement. For these reasons, it is imperative that this investigation be halted and public broadcasting's editorial independence be protected from partisan interference. An informed populace is essential for a healthy, functioning democracy. Preserving NPR and PBS as sources of objective, high-quality content serves the greater public good.