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By Paul Bean
Federal budget cuts could remove up to $2 million of Vermont Public’s annual budget, threatening the operations of the partially publicly funded media group, including Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS.
Last night, the Trump administration sent out a press release signaling they might pursue those cuts, writing: “For years, American taxpayers have been on the hook for subsidizing National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’” For more info on the press release check out VDC’s coverage from earlier today (4/15).
About $2 million (10%) of Vermont Public’s annual budget comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB, is an independent nonprofit created by Congress in 1967 to fund public broadcasting and ensure access to high-quality, commercial-free content.
According to a February 2025 article on Vermont Public, losing this 10% could mean cuts to local journalism or educational programs, with rural stations hit hardest. The article also said CPB’s funding is set two years ahead via the federal budget’s annual appropriations process to shield it from political influence, with a current allocation exceeding $500 million.
“Even though member and local business support makes up the bulk of Vermont Public’s funding, federal funding — which costs an average of $1.60 per American per year — makes public media as you currently know it possible,” wrote Vermont Public in an article on March 26.
Using Grok AI to crunch Nationwide CPB financial information, data from 2023 suggests public radio stations rely on federal funds for about 6% of their budget on average, and public TV stations for about 17%. Applying this to Vermont Public, if their budget is, say, $10 million (a rough estimate based on similar stations), a 10% cut could mean a loss of $1 million annually. Smaller stations, like those in rural Vermont, could face up to 25% revenue loss if CPB funds vanish entirely, risking closures.
Potential cuts to the NPR/PBS comes at a time when Vermont is struggling financially amidst waves of federal cuts across many facets of government.
State-funding and potential maneuvers to make up for those cut seems unlikely. VTDigger reported late last month: “the state’s ‘rainy day’ fund has just shy of $100 million in it today. Some state agencies have already reported losing federal funds, or learned that appropriations they’ve been expecting to receive are under review, including money to support vaccine programs, electric vehicle infrastructure, forestry projects and resources for local libraries.”
Vermont Public also reported on April 2 “House lawmakers approved a state budget–but it relies on federal funds that could be cut,” pointing out that a federal budget reconciliation vote around Memorial Day could significantly alter state funding, potentially affecting public media. “It’s possible the Legislature might opt to reprise the approach they took to the fiscal uncertainty at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when lawmakers passed a six-month state budget, and then reconvened in September to finalize spending for the remainder of the fiscal year,” wrote Peter Hirschfeld.
Despite these discussions and potential cuts, no specific announcements have been found regarding direct budget cuts to Vermont Public for 2025 and beyond. The $2 million figure from CPB funding remains the most recent and reliable estimate, based on Vermont Public’s own reporting.
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Categories: Media
If they were not so biased in their “reporting” this might be an issue.
Ooops- I think I meant to say “might NOT be an issue”. I guess some of you knew what I meant. Anyway, this action is long overdue.
NPR/PBS are not exactly my political cup of tea. If they can not be apolitical, perhaps it’s best if it “goes away” . I can not stand to listen to VPR because of it pushing wacky progressive doctrines, and PBS is more of the same. It’s a pity that the “educational” media chooses to get down in the mud of the indoctrination of young, impressionable minds with something as opinionative as politics. I not only will not contribute monetarily to this indoctrination of the young, but will not give it my valuable time to listen, or watch the woke crap that is peddled on it.
I listen to VT Public every morning. And being a communications person, I recognize propaganda when I hear it.. be it from NPR or FOX. But make no mistake. NPR and PBS are the most sophisticated psyop programs I’ve seen or heard in my lifetime.
Yes. We’re being manipulated by Madison Avenue advertisers every day. The lifestyles we see on TV are as fabricated and unrealistic as they can be. But Madison Avenue doesn’t hold a candle to the NPR/PBS propaganda machine.
Their use of scripted question and answer sessions are specifically designed to promote an underlying point of view, not an above-board neutral discussion. From word usage by well-crafted FM Radio Voices, to its expertly constructed argumentative essays, NPR targets the educated elite – who, ironically, are the most vulnerable demographic to NPR indoctrination. NPR is more expert in the art of sophistry, innuendo and logical fallacy, than any other media outlet I listen to or watch… and I try to stay current in all sides of the spectrum.
And NPR is ubiquitous almost beyond measure. VT Public alone has almost 40 channels and broadcast frequencies.
Are ‘public’ broadcasters really non-profit, publicly funded, non-commercial, educational organizations? Talk about sophistry. VT Public/NPR/PBS have ‘underwriters’, not ‘advertisers’…. right. And what is the NPR/PBS group’s largest advertiser? The federal government.
NPR recently claimed that it “operates independently of the U.S. government. And while federal money is important to the overall public media system, NPR gets less than 1% of its annual budget, on average, from federal sources.”
Think again.
“For fiscal year 2020, for instance, the broadcaster’s affiliate stations received 8 percent of their revenue from federal appropriations via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. They also got 10 percent from colleges and universities — which themselves are publicly funded — and another 5 percent from federal, state and local governments. That is 23 percent, not 1 percent.”
August 23, 2024 “According to NPR’s annual reports and federal budget documents, NPR receives approximately $50-60 million in federal funding each year. This funding accounts for about 20-25% of NPR’s overall budget.”
And then there is the tax-exempt status of the organization. No sales taxes paid. No property taxes paid. Not to mention the State and Federal tax deductions private donors to VP, NPR, and PBS receive.
VT Public, NPR, and PBS have every right to publish and broadcast whatever they choose. But as non-profits they aren’t allowed to endorse or support specific political candidates or conflate issues to support specific candidates. None the less, VT Public, NPR, and PBS do this in spades every day.
It’s long past time to end government funding of this broadcasting behemoth.
Thank you, Jay. Psyop indeed. Prior to the current reign of Katherine Mahar, John Lansing was NPR’s CEO. Where had he been prior to that? CEO of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the agency that oversees (saw) the operations of Voice of America Radio, Radio Free Europe, and the plethora of US propaganda outlets around the world.
He became NPR’s CEO in October, 2019, the month of Event 201 and the military games in China, COINCIDENTALLY right before covid….
Updated April 15, 20251:28 PM ET
Apparently, the NPR/PBS/CPB consortium receives $550 Million annually in federal government subsidies alone, not counting State and local contributions. That’s ten times what I reported above.
“NPR and PBS are the most sophisticated psyop programs I’ve seen or heard in my lifetime.” lol. Remind me again who paid $787 million in fines over false election claims . Move those goalposts, Jay
Hey Chris (whoever you are). Good to see you back – verifying my assertions.
First, I said “I recognize propaganda when I hear it.. be it from NPR or FOX.”
Second, FOX settled out of court with Dominion. The payment wasn’t ‘a fine’. And no one knows if or how it was paid because the settlement required confidentiality. Go figure.
Third, please remind us, again, how much Federal subsidy does FOX receive every year?
Now where did I put those goal posts?
Jay, tell me more about the most sophisticated psyop ever instead of repeating everything but that. That’s moving the goalposts smart guy. Just once address what I said, not what you want to answer because that claim is laughable
Help me out here, Chris whoever-you-are:
I got it that NPR and FOX broadcast propaganda. At least that’s what I said.
I pointed out that your reference to the $787 Million ‘fine’ FOX paid was incorrect – it was a confidential settlement. I don’t know anyone who knows how much was paid or whether it was paid at all. Perhaps you know.
So, what am I missing? Other than those illusory ‘goal posts’ you keep referring to.
If I were smart, at least as smart as you appear to think you are, I’d be able to read your mind in the same way you claim to be able to read my mind. But I’m not that smart. Sorry.
So, again, please explain what in the world you’re talking about.
PS. And, in an attempt to get back on topic, please let all of us know why the NPR/PBS/CPB consortium deserves $550 million of our tax dollars every year.
Oh, I forgot to mention what a ‘psyop’ is for you Chris Whoever-you-are:
In the context I’m using the word, it is “: someone or something used by the government to influence the population’s opinions and attitudes.”
And I did note earlier that the methods included the “… use of scripted question and answer sessions …. specifically designed to promote an underlying point of view, not an above-board neutral discussion … word usage by announcers with well-crafted FM Radio voices, and expertly constructed argumentative essays intentionally designed to promote a specific point of view…. the art of sophistry, innuendo and logical fallacy.”
I also said “NPR targets the educated elite – who, ironically, are the most vulnerable demographic to NPR indoctrination.”
Which explains why smart guys like you have bought into the indoctrination hook, line and sinker.
PS: Hook, Line and Sinker: adverb. I.e., COMPLETELY: without hesitation or reservation.
Agreed, its time to cut public broadcasting from the federal budget. They need to work for their revenue, maybe cut their bloated salaries and expense accounts.
During Congressional hearings the CEO let it be known that there are only on political view welcomed and represented by staff and board of directors with programing reflecting this contrary to charter created by law. In addition she was employed by CIA backed NGO and instrumental in communications promoting the ‘Arab spring’ uprising. Definitely a propaganda machine. Also their sponsorship contains language that violate the sponsorship requirements set by law and are basically commercials. Time to have them make their own way without tax money.
I talked with someone the other day who only listens to VPR /PBS to get the “other sides views”.. I occasionally do also but pull my hair out with their blatant biases and can only handle it for a few minutes.. to me it’s obvious that they should fend for themselves financially. If there are enough viewers and listeners and they’re able to make it on their own then more power to them. Maybe be honest though and call it what it is..the Progressive Broadcasting System.. and could keep the PBS logo.
GOOD! Sooner is better. Cut till they return to playing classical music, opera……
Dennis Morrisseau I’m not hiding my nae. Tack it to anything I write.
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Seeing that NPR and VPR is an extension of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party perhaps they could fund it for the next few decades or so since they had gotten a free ride for more than just a bit.
That failing, it would be nice to have an independent, balanced voice over the airways. (I do miss the car guys.)
Well said, also miss the car guys, Lake Woebegone Days and that type of programing.
A simple solution would a contract where they had No news or political content. They can meet their purpose.
The whole purpose of Public radio and Tv was for propaganda surrounded buy other content.
I could almost guarantee most of the Marxist would quit.
Actually it was to provide educational programming like Sesame Street and Mr. Rodgers to low-income households, but you don’t agree with it so its bad
Hey, again… Chris (whoever you are): Keep looking for those goal posts of yours.
PBS never owned the Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers Neighborhood programs, although PBS did pay well for the broadcast rights with the Federal subsidies it received. Disney is now licensed to use ‘The Muppets’. HBO has the license for Sesame Street programming. And Mr. Rogers Neighborhood can be seen on Amazon Prime. All ‘for profit’ organizations that pay for the rights to these programs.
And, in case you’re wondering, it’s the Children’s Television Act of 1990 that regulates educational programming.
So, why is it again that the Federal Government (I.e., we taxpayers) subsidize the NPR/PBS/CPB cabal to the tune of $550,000,000.00 a year?
If we have laws preventing churches and other tax-exempt organizations from engaging in overt political speech, we can certainly cut the public funding for networks who overtly preach progressive doctrine. A tax exemption or direct public funding is still a public expenditure. Those whose hair is on fire over this cutback would not want public funding for Fox or the Vermont Daily Chronicle for that matter.
I’m just confused about why they get taxpayer money anyway
Yes yes yes – Defund NPR and Defund PBS! Fund your own dang left wing bs – we should not have to pay for your lies!
It was, again, interesting to listen to NPR’s coverage of the Trump administrations deportation activities this morning (4-16-25). NPR shopped for a legal expert, in this case Kate Shaw (a law professor at U. of Penn – of course, one of the universities at risk of losing its government funding), who declared (without debate) that the Trump deportations were unconstitutional.
And, as I expected, there was no discussion on how or why these ‘undocumented’ aliens were here in the first place, and whether or not the Biden administration acted constitutionally when allowing millions of people to enter the U.S. illegally.
It’s often not what NPR reports in its broadcasts that’s problematic. It’s what NPR fails to report.
Oh, BTW. Law professor Kate Shaw is married to MSNBC’s ultra-liberal TV host, Chris Hayes. There’s never any bias there either… right? But not one mention of that relationship or potential conflict of interest in the NPR broadcast either.
At least MSNBC doesn’t (we think) take half a billion dollars every year to subsidize its propaganda … as NPR does.
Maybe the funds will return to Vermont for road improvements, this way all political parties can benefit from taxpayer funds.