NPR CEO Katherine Maher has come under fire for her recent comments suggesting that the First Amendment makes it challenging to combat disinformation and restrict bad information and "influence peddlers" in the United States.
Maher's remarks have sparked a strong response from free speech advocates, including billionaire Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Speaking at the Atlantic Council in 2021, Maher expressed her view that the First Amendment's protection of both platforms and individuals makes it "tricky" to address the spread of misinformation. She stated a preference for granting speech rights to institutions instead of individuals, whom she sees as more "volatile" and harder to "technocratically manage." "The First Amendment in the US makes it 'tricky' to address the challenges of 'bad information' and 'influence peddlers', as it protects the rights of both platforms and individuals," Maher said.
Critics argue that Maher's perspective on censorship and disinformation raises concerns about the use of taxpayer funds to support NPR. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) has introduced the Defund NPR Act of 2024, which would bar further federal funding for the organization. Tenney cited a controversy involving a veteran NPR editor who accused the outlet of left-wing bias, which Maher described as "profoundly disrespectful, hurtful, and demeaning."
Why this matters: The debate surrounding Maher's comments highlights the ongoing tension between free speech and efforts to combat disinformation in the digital age. As a publicly funded media organization, NPR's approach to these issues has significant implications for the broader media landscape and public discourse.
Maher has admitted to taking a "very active approach" to disinformation, including coordinated censorship through conversations with the government and suppressing dissenting opinions related to the pandemic and the 2020 election. Her affiliations with organizations like the Atlantic Council and World Economic Forum have also raised questions about potential ties to U.S. intelligence agencies. Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger has called for NPR to fire Maher if it is committed to truth, expressing alarm at her "radicalism" and the possibility of collaboration with intelligence agencies.
Several U.S. House Republicans have introduced legislation to defund NPR, accusing the organization of promoting a political agenda controlled by "left-wing activists" and using taxpayer funds to "manipulate" the news. They cite the political make-up of NPR's D.C. news team, which reportedly includes 87 registered Democrats and no registered Republicans, as well as Maher's past donations to Democratic political candidates. The lawmakers argue that NPR has strayed from its original purpose as an educational news source and has become a "primary outlet for advancing biase
Key Takeaways
- NPR CEO Katherine Maher is facing criticism for comments on combating disinformation and First Amendment
- Maher prefers granting speech rights to institutions over individuals whom she sees as "volatile"
- Maher has also been accused of coordinated censorship, ties to organizations like the Atlantic Council and WEF
- U.S. House Republicans recently introduced a bill to defund NPR, citing political agenda and bias
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NPR CEO Faces Criticism for Comments on First Amendment and Disinformation
NPR CEO Katherine Maher faces backlash for comments suggesting First Amendment hinders efforts to combat disinformation, sparking calls to defund the organization over alleged left-wing bias.
NPR CEO Faces Criticism for Comments on First Amendment and Disinformation
NPR CEO Katherine Maher has come under fire for her recent comments suggesting that the First Amendment makes it challenging to combat disinformation and restrict bad information and "influence peddlers" in the United States.
Maher's remarks have sparked a strong response from free speech advocates, including billionaire Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Speaking at the Atlantic Council in 2021, Maher expressed her view that the First Amendment's protection of both platforms and individuals makes it "tricky" to address the spread of misinformation. She stated a preference for granting speech rights to institutions instead of individuals, whom she sees as more "volatile" and harder to "technocratically manage." "The First Amendment in the US makes it 'tricky' to address the challenges of 'bad information' and 'influence peddlers', as it protects the rights of both platforms and individuals," Maher said.
Critics argue that Maher's perspective on censorship and disinformation raises concerns about the use of taxpayer funds to support NPR. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) has introduced the Defund NPR Act of 2024, which would bar further federal funding for the organization. Tenney cited a controversy involving a veteran NPR editor who accused the outlet of left-wing bias, which Maher described as "profoundly disrespectful, hurtful, and demeaning."
Why this matters: The debate surrounding Maher's comments highlights the ongoing tension between free speech and efforts to combat disinformation in the digital age. As a publicly funded media organization, NPR's approach to these issues has significant implications for the broader media landscape and public discourse.
Maher has admitted to taking a "very active approach" to disinformation, including coordinated censorship through conversations with the government and suppressing dissenting opinions related to the pandemic and the 2020 election. Her affiliations with organizations like the Atlantic Council and World Economic Forum have also raised questions about potential ties to U.S. intelligence agencies. Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger has called for NPR to fire Maher if it is committed to truth, expressing alarm at her "radicalism" and the possibility of collaboration with intelligence agencies.
Several U.S. House Republicans have introduced legislation to defund NPR, accusing the organization of promoting a political agenda controlled by "left-wing activists" and using taxpayer funds to "manipulate" the news. They cite the political make-up of NPR's D.C. news team, which reportedly includes 87 registered Democrats and no registered Republicans, as well as Maher's past donations to Democratic political candidates. The lawmakers argue that NPR has strayed from its original purpose as an educational news source and has become a "primary outlet for advancing biase
Key Takeaways