National Public Radio (NPR) and three Colorado-based public radio stations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging a recent executive order by former President Donald Trump aimed at cutting federal funding for public broadcasters.
The order, issued earlier this month, prohibits the use of Congressionally appropriated funds by NPR and fellow broadcaster PBS. In a statement released on Tuesday, NPR asserted that the directive is a clear violation of the First Amendment, citing concerns over retaliatory actions against news content critical of the former president.
“The intent could not be more clear — the Executive Order aims to punish NPR for the content of news and other programming the President dislikes,” said NPR CEO Katherine Maher. “This is retaliatory, viewpoint-based discrimination in violation of the First Amendment.”
The lawsuit, which includes Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, and KSUT Public Radio as co-plaintiffs, marks a significant legal challenge to the federal government’s authority to withhold public broadcasting funds on the basis of editorial content.
As of the time of reporting, representatives from the White House have not responded to requests for comment.
The case is expected to spark a broader debate over press freedom and the limits of executive power in regulating public media.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
