The White House accused the use of public funds to spread “awakening propaganda” as an alarm to media freedom.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that will significantly cut subsidies to two U.S. public broadcasters.
Trump issued an order to suspend federal funds to PBS and NPR late Thursday, denounced them for biased reporting and spreading “left” propaganda.
The order is the latest bid by the US President to stop government funding for media that he considers unfriendly to the administration. It comes when a reporter without borders (RSF) warns about “a surprising deterioration in freedom of the press.”
In a social media post, the White House accused the White House of receiving millions of taxpayers from millions of taxpayers.
Trump directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which distributes government funds to the media, and “previous direct funding is permitted by law, and … decline … cancels future funding.”
He also called for the indirect sources of public funding for news organizations to take root, putting their future existence at risk.
Reports show that CPB provides PBS and NPR about $5 billion in funding annually, but also relies heavily on private donations.
It is not clear how immediate effects the order will have on the outlet, usually funded by Congress two years ago to protect against political influence.
Last month, PBS CEO and President Paula Kerger warned that cuts in funding would “disrupt essential services” at the outlet.
It has also been reported that the White House asked Congress to withdraw funding from CPB, a private, non-profit corporation created by Congress in 1967.
“A surprising deterioration in freedom of the press.”
As part of a wide range of campaigns to cut federal spending, Trump has cut hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for artists, libraries, museums and theatres since taking office in January. He also threatens to withhold federal research and education funds from the university.
The media was an important target. In March, Trump tried to dismantle US global media institutions, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
However, the federal court said it exaggerated its power in summoning the administration and trying to hold back the funds allocated by Congress.
Critics have condemned the bid to close outlets broadcast in many foreign states with authoritarian regimes that restrain media freedom as a gift to our enemies.
However, since Trump returned to the White House, concerns about the independence of the US media have risen.
Media Rights WatchDog RSF warned in its annual report released on Friday about the “surprising deterioration in freedom of the press” in the United States and the “unprecedented” difficulties for independent journalists around the world.
Aside from physical attacks, the Media Rights Watchdog noted that “economic pressure” has become a major “insidious issue” that threatens journalism.
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