The Federal Communications Committee (FCC) is investigating the WBEZ radio station on the air

WBEZ in Chicago is among the 13 NPR and PBS radio stations that are being investigated by the Federal Communications Committee, as the Trump administration is looking to tighten its control over public news organizations.

I launched investigations Chairman of the Federal Communications Committee, Brendan Car Focus on whether the sponsorship of NPR and PBS broadcasters correspond to the air care regulations, known in the media as “subscription”. Public stations can broadcast non -promotional advertisements that recognize financial support, but are banned from commercial advertising management.

the Chicago Sun Times Reports WBEZ received an application for information related to its subscription practices from the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) on February 28, with a deadline to provide the required details by the end of March.

“We can confirm that we have received the message from the FCC enforcement office asking for detailed information about the subscription ads that are broadcast on WBEZ,” said a WBEZ spokesman, whose name was not revealed to WBEZ. “We adhere to the subscription instructions, the Federal Communications Committee (FCC), and we are confident that any review will show compliance with these instructions.”

Carr said he was concerned that subscription ads from NPR and PBS members may “cross the line to banned commercials”, and that this occurrence “will undermine any case to continue NPR and PBS financing in taxpayers.” Anna Gomez freedom In January, the investigation is “another administrative effort to prepare the weapon of the Federal Communications Committee’s force.”

About 4.6 percent of the total operating revenue in WBEZ last year came from the company funded by the public for the non -profit broadcast, with a total of about $ 1.47 million. The WBEZ investigation comes at a time when its mother company to the public media deals with financial challenges. He – she He recently announced that 35 employees have accepted volunteer acquisitions As part of the company’s cost reduction efforts.