In a different time and place, PBS (Public Broadcasting System) and NPR (National Public Radio) stood for values and ideas that represented Americans from all perspectives and political leanings. All Things Considered aired on NPR, and kids’ shows like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers aimed to educate and entertain children. Despite exhibiting liberal leanings, Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer’s news program upheld journalistic integrity by striving for unbiased coverage, avoiding exaggeration and selectively highlighting negative news for one side over the other.
About a year and a half ago, Catherine Maher became the CEO of NPR. Following her appointment, stories have broken about her past comments on social media regarding President Donald Trump and her support of progressive policies. Her criticism of the First Amendment highlights its potential to limit the ability of professional news sources, such as NPR, to deal with the spread of false information regarding issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, elections, and climate change. But what do we know about Maher, and how are her ideas affecting the delivery of news and programming at NPR?
Privilege, elitism, and golden opportunities best describe the young life of Catherine Maher. Despite attending a public high school in Wilton, Connecticut, Maher’s background suggests an upbringing amongst the affluent and predominantly Caucasian population. Nationally ranked in the top 400 high schools, it’s considered a premier high school in Connecticut. Maher graduated in 2000 and then spent years studying abroad with a specialty in Middle Eastern programs and Islamic studies. She also worked at UNICEF, the National Democratic Institute, the World Bank, Access Now, and the Wikimedia Foundation between 2007 and 2021, building a long resume among the culturally elite members of America’s Left. Her involvement in the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board (2022-2023), along with other prestigious positions, underscores this point. When NPR came calling in 2024, Maher fit perfectly with what the government broadcaster had become – a liberal bastion of news, information, and ideology. The news division consistently opposed Trump, unapologetically criticizing his actions and highlighting his legal battles throughout his presidency and campaign. Maher’s record looked like a great fit. But to hear her talk, one would think she and her agency bear no grudge toward Trump and aim to be the second coming of MacNeil and Lehrer. Who is she kidding?
Appearing on CNN, Maher could not understand how anyone could suggest a liberal bias. “As far as accusations that we’re biased, I’d stand up and say, ‘Please show me a story that concerns you.’” Reporting for USA Today, Nicole Russell took up the challenge and found three excellent examples (though as an occasional listener and viewer of both, this author can attest that almost every story underscores the plight of immigrants or emphasizes the drastic cuts Republicans are proposing to make). One called Republicans and their presidential nominee racist and sexist. Another confirmed that the Democratic nominee was a victim of that racism and sexism, and a third said even “nice” white people are racist because all of American society is racist. (PBS, NPR push liberal propaganda. Trump is right to cut their funding, July 18, USA Today).
Russell also reported that NPR executives claim the broadcaster receives a mere 1% of its funding directly from the federal government while member stations get about 10% from Washington. Yet, somehow, we are to believe that the budget cuts recently approved will mean the end of public broadcasting as we know it. The problem goes beyond budget cuts and funding. It starts with people like Maher who have made a career out of being woke, though privileged, speaking to racial oppression though spending her life in a white world, and virtual signalling progressive ideals while enjoying the high life of fame, money, and affluence. How about this post on social media in 2020: “America begins in black plunder and white democracy.” She cannot possibly oversee a department charged with reporting the facts when she wants news framed to make Trump and his policies seem harmful. NPR should be a neutral news source; instead, as AllSides, a media literacy organization that rates news organizations’ biases, has found, NPR’s online news “leans left.” Even insiders such as Uri Berliner, the longtime business editor who resigned last year after being suspended, have detailed NPR’s history of newsroom bias.
NPR’s audience has slanted left for a long time, but does the origin of that rest in their reporting having skewed left? Being funded with taxpayer money should matter. Most people care little about what a publication or broadcaster chooses to cover or the viewpoint they use. When the government funds an agency, that changes the score. At that point, taxpayers have an interest, and ignoring half the population to advance a political outlook becomes aggravating to the people footing the bill. Maher may kid the progressives listening in who think NPR and PBS have located the sweet spot in the media constellation. She would be wrong, and the cuts made last week to these publicly funded corporations should serve as a warning shot. Further action will be necessary unless changes are implemented. Maher concocted another unconvincing rationale for NPR’s funding. She claimed Oregonians, especially in rural areas, would miss weather warnings and emergency alerts. Again, who is she kidding? Dozens of radio stations can inform people about threatening conditions; there are apps for phones, and people text one another or post on social media.
Before submitting this article, the author checked NPR’s website. They see a different world than I do. If one does not share their preconceived ideas, NPR’s perspective can be hostile. Those opposed to this policy should remember that funding one side of an issue complicates matters. Congress probably never should have funded a broadcaster to start with. Claiming that the end of funding threatens the First Amendment reflects a weak understanding of free speech guarantees in the Constitution. A new notice pops up when you access NPR on the internet. Designed to appeal to individual donors, the ad emphasizes the recently announced cuts. High time. Let those who prefer a progressive news source pay for it. Not a bad idea for the CBC. No kidding.
Dave Redekop is a retired elementary resource teacher who worked part-time at the St. Catharines Courthouse as a Registrar until being appointed Executive Director at Redeemer Bible Church in October 2023. He has worked on political campaigns since high school and attended university in South Carolina for five years, earning a Master’s in American History with a specialization in Civil Rights. Dave loves reading biographies.
