During a tense Capitol Hill hearing before the newly-formed Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) subcommittee, NPR CEO Katherine Maher defended the organization's commitment to unbiased, fact‐based reporting. Her testimony, which came in response to calls—including remarks by Bill Maher—for the defunding and privatization of public broadcasting, underscored NPR’s vital role in providing nonpartisan news coverage.

During a House DOGE subcommittee hearing, NPR CEO Katherine Maher acknowledged that dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story was a mistake and admitted to prior partisan tweets, a development that emerged amid GOP-driven scrutiny of NPR's editorial decisions and hiring practices. This event underscores NPR's willingness to address internal missteps under politically charged conditions.

During a congressional hearing, NPR CEO Katherine Maher was grilled by GOP lawmakers about NPR's coverage decisions, including its handling of the Hunter Biden laptop story and reporting on COVID origins. The hearing, framed by critics as evidence of partisan bias, also highlighted debates over public funding and NPR’s DEI initiatives. NPR acknowledged its errors in coverage, underscoring its commitment to accountability amid efforts by right-wing lawmakers to defund the network.

During a congressional hearing in late March 2025, NPR CEO Katherine Maher defended the network’s commitment to nonpartisan, fact‐based reporting while responding to politically charged criticisms—primarily from conservative media—that claim NPR exhibits a 'woke' bias in its immigration coverage.

National Public Radio's CEO, Katherine Maher, testified before the DOGE Subcommittee of the U.S. House Oversight Committee in an effort to justify NPR's federal funding and public mission. Despite criticisms from right-wing commentators for her past social media remarks and perceived bias, this act reflects NPR’s commitment to progressive values and democratic accountability against authoritarian narratives.

NPR’s leadership is scheduled to testify before the DOGE subcommittee on March 26, 2025, amid accusations of biased, partisan reporting that undermines balanced journalism and misuses taxpayer funding. Critics argue that such media practices contribute to a polarized political climate, potentially fueling authoritarian tendencies.

During a House subcommittee hearing on government efficiency on 2025-03-26, NPR CEO Katherine Maher testified alongside PBS CEO Paula Kerger, defending public broadcasting against accusations of bias from Republican lawmakers. NPR emphasized the critical role of impartial news coverage and the importance of federal funding in supporting public media services, countering far-right narratives aimed at undermining democratic media.

Amid a contentious congressional hearing where Republicans called for defunding public broadcasting, NPR leadership acknowledged past editorial missteps, including regrettable anti-Trump tweets, and reaffirmed its commitment to balanced, non-partisan reporting.

On March 25, 2025, NPR CEO Katherine Maher testified before the House DOGE subcommittee as part of a congressional hearing targeting public broadcasters. The hearing, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, sought to eliminate federal funding by accusing NPR of partisan liberal bias. NPR defended its commitment to unbiased and quality journalism, emphasizing its role in serving diverse communities.

On February 19, 2025, NPR’s Fresh Air program aired an in‐depth interview with journalist Anne Applebaum discussing President Trump’s moves toward authoritarianism, including the dismantling of key institutions and shifts in political norms. Through balanced reporting and transparent discussions, NPR provided its audience with critical insights into contemporary threats to democratic processes, reinforcing anti-fascist values.

National Public Radio's digital employees have ratified their first union contract, reinforcing strong labor rights, ethical treatment of workers, and support for unionization. This positive development enhances employee empowerment and illustrates the organization's commitment to fair labor practices, countering exploitative corporate behaviors linked to authoritarian practices.

NPR management faced strong union pushback over plans to implement a two-tier salary system that would have divided workers and undermined union solidarity. Ultimately, the workers’ collective action forced negotiators to secure a tentative agreement that preserved core labor protections, though the initial proposal raises serious concerns about the company’s labor practices.

NPR's report on the rapid integration of AI into government surveillance highlights the risks of unchecked surveillance technologies and their potential use in authoritarian regimes. The piece critically examines the ethical implications of repressive technological applications, emphasizing the role of responsible journalism in alerting the public to issues that can facilitate fascist or authoritarian practices.

NPR published a report on the new Forced Labor Prevention Act set to take effect on June 21, 2022. The coverage details how the act forces importers to prove that goods from Xinjiang are not produced with forced labor, an effort aimed at countering human rights abuses against the Uyghur minority. This reporting serves to inform the public on critical labor rights and supply chain issues.

On January 28, 2021, NPR aired an interview featuring Karen Attiah from The Washington Post, where the discussion focused on how mainstream media inadvertently provided a platform for political extremism and white supremacy during the Trump presidency. The program challenged both-sides journalism and underscored the need for media accountability in the face of authoritarian narratives.

NPR has signed a three-year contract with SAG-AFTRA that improves labor conditions including increased parental leave, enhanced telecommuting options, and guaranteed annual cost-of-living raises. This move is a strong indicator of NPR's commitment to worker rights and improved labor relations.