Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 1: A US federal judge has permanently blocked President Donald Trump’s directive to end federal funding for public broadcasters NPR and PBS, citing violations of free speech protections under the First Amendment.

US District Judge Randolph Moss ruled that the executive order was unlawful and unenforceable, stating that the Constitution does not permit viewpoint-based discrimination or retaliation by the government.

“It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints that the President does not like,” the judge observed in his ruling.

The directive had called for all federal agencies to cut off funding to National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service, both of which the administration had accused of bias.

The court noted that no precedent exists for barring an entity from federal funding based on its past speech, calling such action unconstitutional. The ruling also highlighted that the move appeared aimed at punishing media organisations for their editorial stance.

Reacting to the decision, NPR CEO Katherine Maher said the judgment reaffirmed the importance of a free and independent press. PBS chief Paula Kerger also welcomed the ruling, describing the order as a clear case of unconstitutional retaliation.

The case is expected to be appealed, and the broader impact remains uncertain, especially after earlier funding cuts and the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting following congressional action.

Legal experts described the ruling as a significant, though incremental, victory for press freedom, reinforcing constitutional limits on the use of government power to suppress dissenting voices.