Today NPR, alongside Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, and KSUT Public Radio, filed suit to challenge President Trump’s unlawful Executive Order targeting NPR and PBS. They do so to defend our First Amendment rights and the rights of public media stations across the country.
From NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher’s statement:
“The Executive Order is a clear violation of the Constitution and the First Amendment's protections for freedom of speech and association, and freedom of the press. It is an affront to the rights of NPR and NPR's 246 Member stations, which are locally owned, nonprofit, noncommercial media organizations serving all 50 states and territories. Today, we challenge its constitutionality in the nation's independent courts.”
Over the past half century, NPR has been widely recognized for its independent voice, pioneering style, and journalistic excellence. Likewise, WCBU has earned the trust of our community with fair and balanced news coverage over the last more than 55 years.
NPR stands for constitutional rights, a free press, and an informed public, and filed today’s lawsuit on their behalf.
WCBU stands with NPR and our sister stations in the NPR Network across all 50 states and territories in this worthy pursuit.
Our mission — and our responsibility — is grounded in the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press and protects our ability to hold power to account without interference. This includes protection against interference in our independent decision-making in purchasing, acquiring, producing and broadcasting programming.
There is nothing more important to WCBU than continuing to serve our community as part of our public service mission. We are proud to stand with our colleagues in defending the role of public media in a healthy, functioning democracy.
