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US public broadcaster NPR sues Trump over funding cuts

NPR said in its statement that the decision to take legal action was based on the belief that the president’s move targeted them for the type of reporting and programmes they produce.

Trump has been ending legal pathways for immigrants to come to the U.S. and implementing campaign promises to deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally. (File Photo)

National Public Radio (NPR) and three public radio stations in Colorado have filed a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump’s administration after a recent executive order cut federal funding for public broadcasting.

NPR said on Tuesday that the president’s order, which also affects the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), blocks the use of money approved by Congress. According to NPR, this action goes against the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects free speech.

“The intent could not be more clear the Executive Order aims to punish NPR for the content of news and other programming the President dislikes,” NPR CEO Katherine Maher said in a statement, as reported by Reuters. “This is retaliatory, viewpoint-based discrimination in violation of the First Amendment,” she added.

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The lawsuit was joined by Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, and KSUT Public Radio.

The executive order was issued earlier this month. It stops NPR, PBS, and possibly other public broadcasters from receiving federal funds that were already approved by lawmakers.

As of Tuesday, Reuters reported that the White House had not provided a response to the lawsuit.

NPR said in its statement that the decision to take legal action was based on the belief that the president’s move targeted them for the type of reporting and programmes they produce.

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The lawsuit marks a rare legal step by public media outlets against a sitting president over funding issues.

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