NPR Wins $36M Settlement in Federal Funding Dispute/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ NPR will receive $36 million in federal grant funding under a court settlement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) after a dispute over alleged political retaliation. The agreement follows claims that the CPB, under pressure from President Trump, sought to cut NPR’s funding. The settlement preserves NPR’s control over the U.S. public radio satellite system.
NPR Funding Dispute Quick Looks
- NPR awarded $36 million to operate public radio network
- Settlement resolves part of lawsuit against CPB over funding cuts
- NPR alleged CPB bowed to Trump’s push to defund
- Trump previously called for defunding NPR, PBS in March
- CPB reversed grant approval under alleged political pressure
- Funds support Public Radio Satellite System, run by NPR since 1985
- Lawsuit continues over legality of Trump’s executive order
- CPB and NPR agree executive order is unconstitutional
- Judge to hold next hearing in December
- NPR calls settlement a win for press freedom and independence
Deep Look
NPR to Receive $36 Million in Federal Funds Following Court Settlement with CPB
WASHINGTON — National Public Radio (NPR) will receive $36 million in federal grant funding under a legal settlement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), partially resolving a high-profile dispute that NPR argued was fueled by political pressure from the Trump administration.
The funding will allow NPR to continue operating the Public Radio Satellite System, the nationwide interconnection network that distributes content to public radio stations across the United States. NPR has overseen the system since 1985.
The legal clash centered on claims that the CPB withdrew previously approved funding in response to President Donald Trump’s public calls to defund public broadcasters, including NPR and PBS. Trump, speaking at a March press conference, said he would “love to” cut funding for NPR, accusing the network of political bias in favor of Democrats.
NPR responded with a federal lawsuit, alleging the CPB violated the First Amendment by attempting to withhold congressionally appropriated funding in retaliation for its journalism. According to the suit, CPB’s initial approval in April of a three-year, $36 million extension for the satellite system was later reversed under political pressure, with funds redirected to a nonexistent and unauthorized entity.
CPB has denied retaliatory motives, calling NPR’s allegations “factually and legally meritless.” The organization said its funding decisions were made in accordance with its authority and not influenced by White House pressure.
The agreement announced Monday restores the original grant and includes mutual recognition that President Trump’s May executive order — which called for halting all federal support for NPR and PBS — is unconstitutional, at least unless a court says otherwise.
Although the settlement resolves the funding issue, it does not end NPR’s lawsuit against enforcement of the executive order. That legal battle continues, with a court hearing scheduled for December 4, overseen by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss.
In a statement, NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher called the outcome “a victory for editorial independence and a step toward upholding the First Amendment rights of NPR and the public media system.”
CPB President Patricia Harrison described the settlement as “an important moment for public media,” suggesting that the agreement ensures continued service to public radio listeners nationwide.
The settlement brings temporary relief to a sector increasingly caught in political crossfire. It also reaffirms NPR’s operational control of the public radio infrastructure that millions of Americans rely on for news, education, and cultural programming.
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