The National Public Radio (NPR) of the presented, on Tuesday (27), an action to request the suspension of the decree of the US President, which interrupts your financing, as well as the television network PBS. In the action, the NPR argues that Trump’s order violates the principle of separation of powers, provided for in the United States Constitution, as it is up to Congress and not to the White House to control the management of federal resources. NPR and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) are funded with US public resources and private donations. . According to NPR, Trump’s decree also violates the guarantee of freedom of expression contemplated in the first constitutional amendment.
“The intention is clear: the decree seeks to punish NPR for the content of news and other programs that displease the president,” NPR’s executive director Katherine Maher said in a statement. “We defend the constitutional rights, freedom of the press and an informed audience,” Maher added. It is estimated that 43 million people in the United States hear weekly NPR programs. PBS estimates that 36 million will watch your TV shows monthly on a local station.
Since returning to power in January, Trump has drove attacks and criticism of the main American media vehicles, claiming they are not impartial and calling them “enemies of the people.” Earlier this month, the Republican tycoon signed a decree that determines that the corporation for public broadcasting (CBP), which holds funds for NPR and PBS, stops funding these broadcasters. The Trump government considers that these vehicles “fueled partisanship and leftist advertising with taxpayers’ money.” The Trump government has taken measures to drastically cut public spending, firing tens of thousands of civil servants in various departments, in many cases without notice.
He also put the American broadcasting sector abroad in the sights, by dismantling the USAGM government agency. This agency supervises two federal organizations: Radio Voz do America and the Transmissions Office for Cuba, by radio and TV Martí, as well as other broadcasters, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia or Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Sarah Paula
