House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., has introduced the Defund NPR Act, calling for an end to taxpayer-funded media. Good's bill aims to block federal funding from going directly to NPR and prevent public radio stations receiving federal grants from using taxpayer funds to purchase content from or pay dues to NPR.
Good argues that the government should not be funding media with a clear bias, citing NPR's left-wing bias as a longstanding issue. He highlights the importance of a free and open press protected by the First Amendment but asserts that taxpayers should not be forced to fund biased media.
Conservatives have criticized NPR for its left-wing bias, particularly as some of its funding comes from federal grants. Concerns were raised when a former NPR editor accused the outlet of mishandling stories related to Hunter Biden's laptop and COVID-19 lab leak theories, and highlighted a lack of political diversity in the newsroom.
NPR's chief news executive defended the outlet's coverage and commitment to inclusivity in reporting. The former editor, who raised these concerns, was suspended and later resigned, citing differences with NPR's new CEO.
Good criticized NPR's CEO for what he perceives as a lack of concern for truth and accused her of holding left-wing views. While NPR receives most of its funding from corporate sponsorships, it also benefits from federal funds indirectly through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The Defund NPR Act has sparked debate over government funding for media organizations and the issue of bias in reporting. NPR has yet to comment on Good's bill and statements.
