On Capitol Hill, the heads of America's public media networks, PBS and NPR, faced sharp questioning by a House oversight subcommittee about allegations of bias and why their work justifies continued federal support.

The hearing, led by House Republicans, is centered around whether NPR and PBS should continue receiving federal funding amid alleged liberal biases. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and others argue that these networks function as echo chambers for Democratic viewpoints. Republican displeasure revolves around instances such as the controversial portrayal of drag queens on PBS or NPR's handling of coverage regarding Hunter Biden, where CEO Katherine Maher admitted to shortcomings. GOP members proposed that the transformation in information consumption trends makes public funding of media like NPR and PBS outdated. In contrast, Democrats defended these networks, emphasizing their role in supporting children's educational programming and serving underprivileged rural communities, where public media might be the only accessible resource. Proposals to de-fund these broadcasters come with political undertones, as they align with broader attempts by some Republicans to diminish media outlets perceived as liberal. This ongoing debate underscores a cultural and ideological rift in the U.S. about how public resources are utilized and who controls the narrative in public-backed media. AI analysis notes a decline in NPR’s listener base but reaffirms that many Americans still trust public broadcasting. It critiques as politically motivated any general assertion of bias, which could detract from NPR and PBS's diverse daily reporting.