
It’s Time to Defund the Propaganda and Empower South Dakota
By Dan Schneider, Media Research Center (MRC)
For decades, the Media Research Center has been on the front lines, exposing the pervasive and insidious bias that saturates our national media. Among the most biased of news outlets are NPR and PBS. The taxpayer-funded propaganda they produce is a clear and present danger to the common-sense policies that benefit all Americans, and to leaders like Senator Mike Rounds, who champion pro-growth policies for their constituents.
That’s why it is critical for Rounds to vote in favor of H.R. 4, President Donald Trump’s request to rescind the $1.1 billion that Joe Biden secured for NPR and PBS over the next two years.
If you examine Rounds’s priorities, you’ll see how NPR and PBS consistently work against his agenda while simultaneously lining their own pockets with taxes from South Dakotas. To add insult to injury, these broadcasters also attack the jobs of the very people who are forced to subsidize “public broadcasting.”
If your income is connected to production agriculture, transportation, or oil and gas development, or if you hold traditional values or believe in the Second Amendment, why should you be forced to turn over your taxes to those who seek your demise?
Rounds has consistently fought for agriculture and rural economic vitality, the beating heart of South Dakota’s economy. His support for crucial initiatives such as the USA Beef Act and Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (M-COOL), his efforts to crack down on anti-competitive practices, and his proactive emergency plans for bird flu outbreaks all demonstrate a commitment to the state’s foundational industry. Rounds has also made tribal communities a priority, pushing for better transportation funding and a much-needed tribal law enforcement training center.
Yet NPR churns out stories at odds with these priorities.They obsess over the environmental “sins” of the beef industry with endless talk of carbon and methane and cast the USA Beef Act as some backward, industry-pandering move. PBS NewsHour is no better, often complaining that M-COOL might “ruffle feathers” in global trade deals or “jack up prices” for consumers. They conveniently gloss over the tangible benefits these policies bring to rural and tribal communities, framing these common-sense priorities as mere trifles compared to their globalist, green dogma. It’s a classic media dodge: undermine the heartland to push their progressive pet projects.
These left-wing news outlets also strike directly at one of Round’s legislative priorities, ending Federal control over our children’s education. Rounds’ legislation “Returning Education to Our States Act,” would dismantle the bloated U.S. Department of Education and hand decision-making power back to states via block grants, a concept that, to most South Dakotans, is simply common sense.
But NPR and PBS trot out union bosses and so-called “experts” to cry about “equity” and “access,” as if states can’t be trusted to run their own schools. NPR’s biased stories invariably focus on how federal cuts might “hurt underserved kids,” conveniently ignoring how federal red tape often stifles genuine innovation. PBS NewsHour plays the same game, framing the proposal as a dangerous gamble that could “undo” decades of progress. Of course, both outlets fail to show that the so-called “progress” is actually ever-declining performance by students across America.
The continued subsidization of NPR and PBS, to the tune of more than half-a-billion dollars annually, is an undeniable anachronism in today’s media environment. Their tired arguments for taxpayer dollars are as hollow as the “news” coverage they provide. They claim farmers need them for weather reports? This is an insult to the ingenuity and technological savvy of South Dakota’s agricultural community, who are already equipped with cell phones, computers, and sophisticated weather apps that provide real-time, localized data far more efficiently.
They perpetuate the myth of unique emergency alert services, despite the undeniable fact that every broadcaster in America is legally mandated to provide the same alerts. Furthermore, with 98% of Americans now owning cell phones, these critical notifications are delivered directly to nearly every pocket, rendering traditional broadcast-dependent systems largely obsolete. Importantly, H.R. 4 does not touch the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), which is instead funded by FEMA.
Rounds is laser-focused on keeping America strong by modernizing our military and integrating AI to our national defense systems. Yet, NPR and PBS wring their hands over the “ethics” of AI in defense, while PBS trots out talking heads who seem to prefer playing nice with China rather than building up our defenses. They paint the push for military readiness as reckless saber-rattling, willfully ignoring the very real threats we face in a complex world. PBS and NPR bias represents a deliberate attempt to kneecap leaders who prioritize strength over feelings.
The evidence is clear: NPR and PBS are not providing a unique, unbiased public service that justifies billions in taxpayer subsidies. Instead, they are actively undermining the very policies that directly benefit the hardworking people of South Dakota. It’s time to cut off the flow of taxpayer dollars to these purveyors of partisan narratives.
Rounds should stand with South Dakota’s farmers, ranchers, and taxpayers and vote to defund NPR and PBS.
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Dan Schneider is Vice President of the Media Research Center.
Nothing like a boil plate press release to get you motivated
Boiler*, you get the idea
You fund it, Jerk; I don’t want to fund it. Do you really think our Native Americans need more lib-talk?
Imagine thinking the truth is “lib talk”, this guy probably believes there is no list now, too!
The origin of public broadcasting was in the necessity of communication in underserved markets, in the interest of civil defense, and those of us over a certain age remember the TV tests of the Emergency Broadcast System. Programming would be interrupted and the TV would blare out a warning. Like this: https://youtu.be/wdpLWML_tDU?si=FBZY-hZOSSIAv0TA
There were rural areas so sparsely populated that commercial broadcasting wasn’t viable. Advertisers would not pay to reach those areas. In order to provide people in rural areas with emergency notices, the government funded public broadcasting. It didn’t start out as entertainment.
These locations don’t exist any more. The need for taxpayer funding is GONE. They can sell advertising like everybody else. They already sell memberships, which you have to buy if you want to see old episodes of Masterpiece. That was an unpleasant surprise, being told I can’t watch adult programming without paying extra. Only the children’s stuff is still “free.”
“These locations don’t exist anymore”
That’s a pretty bold claim, and proof you’ve never been to most of Western SD, Eastern Montana, all of Wyoming, Nevada, Northern California, Kansas, etc. Outside of some religious radio, the only other stations you can pick up are Public Stations.
those areas have phone service. you can get emergency alerts by telephone.
plus, the original concern, civil defense, to alert you to incoming missiles from the USSR, isn’t that much of a worry now. Few families still have fallout/bomb shelters, with a shortwave radio set up
Those were the days.
Swing and and a miss pall.
Keep showing your lack of traveling and your abundance of ignorance. Cell service in all of those regions is spotty to non-existent depending on your carrier.
that is what short wave radio is for. I grew up with one in the basement, which was where the fallout shelter was, incidentally.
People who live in remote areas should have this stuff
. figured out.
Like weather
tornadoes: are more likely to occur with the second storm in the same day, when the ground is still wet. If you see a wall cloud or the sky turns green, get underground.
hail occurs when it rains after an unusually hot day
blizzards: if a warm moist wind is coming up from the south in the winter, a snowstorm is coming, The warmer and moister the wind, the bigger it’s going to be.
Floods: if you are living or camping on a flood plain, and it’s raining heavily, go to higher ground.
Tsunami: if you are on the coast and the water suddenly recedes, like a massive low tide, get the hell off the beach
everything else: watch for flocks of birds flying the wrong way during migration season or when it isn’t spring or fall. Whatever direction they are going is where you should be going.
The only thing we needed telecommunications for was Russian missile attacks. Nature didn’t have a warning system for that
That was the whole point of public broadcasting.
We don’t need to fund it any more.
If I have to buy a PBS membership just to watch Wolf Hall, I would just as soon not have to pay taxes to support it as well.
That’s a lot of words to say, “I’m out of touch and haven’t left my hometown since LBJ left office.”
Schneider is a Trump-fluffing shill. The slash-and-burn takedown of important independent media voices is of course a high priority for MAGA. It’s sad to read this b-s here, or anywhere for that matter. PBS wasn’t created for no reason at all, there WAS and there IS a need for it as it was created, in the marketplace of ideas in this country.
Let this idea go forth into the wastebin with the others.
PBS is not an independent news source. It is totally Democratic and left-wing.
Wrong. You haven’t watched it, you’ve watched the Fox hosts slander it and lie about it. PBS is a unique information source, not beholden to the sniveling pro-GOP oligarchs running the commercial networks, ready to hear of their next chance to super serve this White House or be sued by it. You really want to force a one-party dictatorship down on us all, with no delay.
while traveling through a remote area I listened to the NPR
news report on the pipeline protest on Standing Rock, which was going on at the time.
The report called the protestors “water protectors,” said the pipeline was going to go through “sacred” tribal land, and it was a noble & environmentally conscious cause.
Don’t tell me NPR is a real news source. It’s 100% garbage.
The NPR report accurately relayed how the protesters refer to themselves. I doubt the commercial news outlets even bother with such details, if they even do more than a 20 second blurb. NPR is free to report at length and include a full look at the minute details of stories that the commercial stations gloss over quickly if they don’t ignore it altogether. Listen to a half hour of NPR and you’ll have enough facts on both sides to decide where you stand on an issue. Listen to a half hour of Fox or talk radio, and you’ll want to shoot somebody or deport them to relieve your irrational inner rage. I know which outcome I prefer.
The senators of South Dakota may project an image of resilience when faced with criticism, but the truth is that their actions echo the darkest chapters of history, specifically the political climate of 1930s Germany.
The Nazis methodically seized control of the media, silencing dissent and enforcing a narrative that served their totalitarian regime. By 1939, nearly all independent voices had been extinguished, leaving the populace bombarded with state-sponsored propaganda that glorified their oppressive ideology (FOX News).
Today, we see a similar, chilling effort in our own landscape, particularly led by the Media Research Center, which is now openly demanding the closure of platforms that dare to challenge their narrative. This MAGA party, which touts a commitment to free speech and the Constitution, is nothing but a façade for a campaign to stifle any dissenting opinions that contradict their extremist views.
This is not merely a contradiction; it is a blatant assault on our democratic values and a direct threat to the foundation of free expression in our society. We must stand united against this alarming resurgence of censorship and vigilantism masquerading as patriotism. The time to act is now; we cannot allow history to repeat itself under our watch.
I see the South Dakota Freedom Caucus are also strongly in favor of these cuts. Senator Rounds who might run for reelection may lose a potential endorsement if he votes against cutting funding to PBS & NPR.
https://x.com/SDFreedomCaucus/status/1943707428773638241
Let me remind you that when the South Dakota Legislature had an opportunity to cut funding to SDPB and chose not to(SB220). Are the Freedom Caucus going to try to get all Republicans who voted in favor to get primaried next June? Representative Mike Derby at the end of session commented how they saved Big Bird.
https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26286
Wonder how much Rounds paid for this hit piece. Nature, Frontline, This Old House…so liberal.
Speaking of propaganda, this stinks to high heaven of it. No data, no facts, all feelings from a far-right snowflake.
That’s exactly what I thought too.
You know, if you’re getting paid to peddle B.S., at least try to make it good B.S.
why should my tax dollars go to support crap children’s programming??
Fred Rogers is dead. Jim Henson is dead. Nobody can replace them. Now kids spend too many hours parked in front of TVs and childhood obesity has become an epidemic. If we want healthier children why are we funding this crap?
PBS can sell advertising like everybody else
You’re blaming the obesity epidemic on PBS? Jesus you’re out of touch. And you want them to sell advertising? Guess who advertises to children? Junk food companies. So even that genius idea of yours is working against your convoluted complaint.
Check the lineup for KCSD
Children’s programming begins at 6:30 AM and continues unabated until 3 PM.
This provides parents who work from home 8 1/2 hours of TV to park their kids in front of..Cheap child care centers can turn it on in the morning and leave it on all day.. Why should the state subsidize child care or fund pre-k education when we have PBS?
I don’t think any of you who are complaining about this actually watch PBS. How many fans of Antique Road Show are there?
At 10 PM tonight there is some kind of soap opera with the program description “Marlene is appalled that Nicole isn’t planning to tell Callum that she’s pregnant; Finn refuses to compromise himself as a police officer with negative consequences.”
Our tax dollars are paying for this????
This isn’t information, it’s just propaganda.
The federal government is bloated beyond recognition. We need people in congress willing to cut this garbage, not people who love spending everyone else’s money.
I’ll look at my phone if a storm is coming.
You know who loves to spend everyone else’s money? The US military. We’re spending gobs to “modernize” it in the BBB but aren’t we already the biggest and best and most modern?
Rounds defending NPR. Figures. He doesn’t need to worry about Trump, he needs to worry about alienating his own voters. Tone friggin deaf.
Here’s what we know.
Senator Rounds defends both NPR & PBS
President Trump has announced he will not endorse anyone that will support either one.
South Dakota Freedom Caucus is in favor of these cuts to these programs.
South Dakota Legislature voted in favor of not cutting funds to SDPB(SB220) The votes were 34-1 in the Senate(Only Senator Carley voted against it)
59-11 in the House(Representatives Aylward, Baxter, Garcia, Hunt, Ismay, Jensen, Jordan, Manhart, Mulally, Randolph, and Reder)
Representative Mike Derby(House Appropriation Chair) went on the floor of the House and said that they saved Big Bird.
Senator Mike Rounds seat is up for election in 2026.
What to project:
If Senator Rounds does vote against the Rescissions bill, will President Trump try to force a primary.
Will the SD Freedom Caucus try to compare this to the SB201 bill of 2024 that saw incumbent Republicans ousted by challengers in that primary?
With candidates already declaring that they want to enforce President Trump’s agenda in South Dakota(Toby Doeden, Jon Hansen, and Dusty Johnson for Governor, Attorney General Marty Jackley & Senator Casey Crabtree for the U.S. House), what impact will it have on those elections? We already know that Congressman Johnson voted in favor of this bill.
NPR is still better than FOX, Newsnax, OANN, Brietbart
NPR is full of shit. I found that out when I listened to their “report” on the Standing Rock pipeline protest.
The protestors were all “water protectors” engaged in an orderly lawful attempt to protect “sacred” tribal land. It was an absolute crock of crap.
Time to Defund MAGA instead.
Trump controls MAGAs money, so your wish has been granted. They are defunded! Long live Jambi
As a taxpayer and a PBS passport membership holder I agree with this. Let PBS go fundraise their money. There’s a role they were intended to play and like every other federal program it has verged way off course. NPR should just be bought by MSNBC.
SDPB broadcasts and archives our own state governments meetings, an important public service if there ever was one in any functioning democracy.
You can add imbecile to your list of personal qualifiers 9:39.
a college communications class could do that. The students could perform the work and earn college credits at the same time.
I considered buying a passport membership but I am offended that my taxes support this AND I need a membership to stream Masterpiece??.
Defund it and I will buy the membership..
There is nothing wrong with how PBS reports. For those of you who think somehow this “media” turns people to liberals, go listen to liberal media and see if it turns you liberal. Shockingly, you will find out it doesn’t. The cited examples of bias are such minor details, the vast majority of content is non-political. We don’t need less media coverage in SD, we need more. This is our only coverage of HS sports and SD legislature, keep your interests in mind, this is a good thing for us. Quit listening to these paid talking heads getting money from the Heritage Foundation bros.