미국 공영방송 위기가 유럽식 공영방송에 주는 시사점

This study examines the legal foundations and operational structures of U.S. public broadcasting(PBS, NPR), which has established a unique position in a media environment centered on commercial broadcasting. It analyzes the impact of the Trump administration’s total budget elimination on the public broadcasting ecosystem and provides implications for the European model. Based on the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, U.S. public broadcasting has a unique decentralized structure consisting of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) as a holding entity, and national networks such as PBS and NPR. Unlike the European model, it lacks a license fee system and is characterized by a high dependence on private funding, such as viewer donations and corporate sponsorships, compared to the relatively low share of federal funding (10-15%). With the passage of the Trump administration's 'Rescissions Act of 2025,' which entirely eliminated the CPB budget, U.S. public broadcasting faces its greatest crisis since its inception in 1967. This has led to the closure of small-to-medium local stations and a decline in educational and news content, revealing the vulnerability between the political neutrality and financial independence of public broadcasting. This study emphasizes that in the digital platform era, where algorithmic confirmation bias is intensifying, the role of public broadcasting as a 'public good' to mediate social conflict becomes even more critical. It argues that the budget cuts do not diminish the inherent public value of public broadcasting, which remains vital in the modern era; rather, this value must be strengthened. Furthermore, the study suggests that public broadcasting must secure a stable basis for independence by diversifying its revenue structure, such as expanding sponsorships or easing advertising regulations.