Google may be NPR and PBS’s partners in crime, but even the tech giant’s AI chatbot Gemini can’t run cover for the leftist outlets’ taxpayer-funded shell game.
On Friday, Gemini gave inconsistent information in response to MRC Free Speech America’s questions about how much taxpayer dollars, both federal and state, NPR receives. Is it one, four or 10 percent of NPR’s total budget? Gemini claimed it is all of the above. Apparently, NPR’s funding is a multiple-choice mystery.
“The amount NPR and PBS receive in taxpayer dollars is as closely guarded a secret as Google’s algorithm,” said MRC Free Speech America VP Dan Schneider. “That’s precisely why Google AI Gemini can’t say exactly how much the two leftist outlets receive in taxpayer dollars—because NPR and PBS won’t say.”
Gemini’s conflicting answer was unsurprising, since it nearly exclusively relied on none other than NPR as a source. NPR has never clearly broken down its total taxpayer funding, including money from federal and state governments and member stations, which receive taxpayer dollars through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
First, the chatbot parroted NPR’s talking point: “NPR directly receives less than 1% of its annual budget from the federal government.” But just a few lines later, Gemini admitted the truth was “a bit more complex,” failing to come up with an exact figure of how many taxpayer dollars NPR gets.
Later still, Gemini affirmed NPR receives almost 10 percent of its budget “indirectly through federal, state, and local governments via these member stations.” In a second paragraph, Gemini contradicted itself, saying that in 2017, “it was reported that 4% of NPR's revenue came from federal, state, and local governments via member stations.” [Emphasis added.]
The chatbot then concluded: “In summary, while the direct federal funding for NPR is very small, a more significant portion of its funding comes indirectly from federal, state, and local taxes through its member stations and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.”
MRC Free Speech America’s analysis shows Gemini relied exclusively on sources directly implicated by the prompt asked. Out of the five sources cited by Gemini, three came directly from NPR, with the fourth source being an NPR affiliate, Colorado Public Radio, and the fifth being its funding partner, CPB.
Gemini’s response was just as muddled when asked how much federal funding PBS receives. It identified 15 percent of PBS’s revenue as federal, but then added that some reports “indicate that combined state, federal, and local funding can be around 31% for public television.” That figure excludes university contributions to PBS, which, as Gemini admitted, “may receive federal funding” as well.
Like NPR, PBS charges local affiliates membership fees—effectively double-dipping, since these local stations receive federal funding themselves. According to Gemini, some local PBS stations get “as much as 60%” of their funding from taxpayers.
Gemini’s failure to clearly break down the taxpayer benefits of both NPR and PBS comes just as Congress prepares to vote on a Trump-endorsed rescission package aimed at reversing $1.1 billion in previously approved spending. The rescission bill passed the House Rules Committee on Tuesday and is set for a full House floor vote on Thursday.
Newly appointed MRC President David Bozell urged lawmakers to pass the rescission package in an opinion piece published Wednesday by The Hill.
“Congress now has a unique chance to act,” Bozell wrote. “Rescinding these funds will send a clear signal: if you want to push a partisan agenda, don’t ask taxpayers to fund it. If NPR and PBS believe in their product, let private donors or advertisers fund it. “
Bozell also vowed continued accountability for the media outlets, but warned that legislative action is needed: “We will not stop calling out their bias, but exposure alone is not enough. Lawmakers must act. Trump’s rescission package is a practical, principled reform. Republicans have fought to defund these institutions for more than 30 years. Now, that goal could finally become a reality. Congress must follow through.”
Methodology: MRC Free Speech America prompted Google AI chatbot Gemini to answer the following question: “What percentage of funding from federal and state taxes does NPR receive?” In response, Gemini yielded the following:
NPR's funding from federal and state taxes is a nuanced topic. Here's a breakdown:
- Direct Federal Funding: NPR directly receives less than 1% of its annual budget from the federal government.
- Indirect Federal Funding: This is where it gets a bit more complex. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a non-profit organization established by Congress, receives federal appropriations. The CPB then distributes grants to local public radio stations. These local stations, in turn, pay fees to NPR for its programming and services. While the exact percentage varies, reports indicate that NPR receives almost 10% of its budget indirectly through federal, state, and local governments via these member stations.
- State and Local Government Funding: A portion of the funding for local member stations also comes from state and local governments, which then contributes to the fees they pay to NPR. In 2017, it was reported that 4% of NPR's revenue came from federal, state, and local governments via member stations.
In summary, while the direct federal funding for NPR is very small, a more significant portion of its funding comes indirectly from federal, state, and local taxes through its member stations and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
MRC also asked Google AI chatbot Gemini the following: “What percentage of funding from federal and state taxes does PBS receive?” In response, Gemini yielded the following:
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) receives funding from a variety of sources, with federal and state taxes contributing a portion:
- Federal Funding: Approximately 15% of the public television system's revenue comes from the federal government. This funding is primarily distributed through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), an independent non-profit organization established by Congress. The CPB then provides grants to local public television stations.
- State and Local Government Funding: While the 15% figure is often cited for overall "government subsidies," a portion of the funding for local PBS stations also comes from state and local governments. Some reports indicate that combined state, federal, and local funding can be around 31% for public television. Additionally, some universities, which may receive federal funding, also contribute to public broadcasting.
It's important to note that:
- The majority of PBS's funding comes from private support, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.
- The federal funding that goes to public broadcasting through the CPB is often highlighted as a relatively small investment per taxpayer (e.g., $1.40 per taxpayer per year for the public television system).
- For individual local affiliates, especially those in rural areas, government funding can make up a more significant portion of their revenue, sometimes as much as 60%.
In essence, while federal and state taxes contribute to PBS's operations, it's not the primary source of its funding, with private donations making up the largest share.
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Note: This article first appeared on MRC Free Speech America's website.
