According to a recent survey highlighted by DailyMail.com and TIPP, public opinion is shifting against taxpayer funding of National Public Radio (NPR) due to perceptions of political bias. This survey presented respondents with the question: “Do you agree or disagree: NPR should lose taxpayer funding due to its political bias?” Results indicated that 44 percent are in favor of withdrawing funding, 26 percent opposed the notion, and 31 percent were undecided.
These sentiments come in the wake of an op-ed by former NPR editor and reporter Uri Berliner, revealing his concerns about the network’s left-wing bias. Berliner pointed out the disproportionate number of registered Democrats in editorial roles at NPR’s Washington, DC headquarters, noting the absence of Republicans. He describes an environment where politics overshadowed journalistic curiosity and independence. Following internal disagreements over these issues, Berliner ended his 25-year tenure at NPR.
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and former President Donald Trump are vocal proponents of ending NPR’s public funding. Blackburn criticized the mainstream media, including NPR, for being biased against conservatives and for not representing the broader American public. Trump echoed these sentiments, labeling NPR a “liberal disinformation machine” and insisting it should not receive any federal funding.
