The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an investigation into Chicago public radio station WBEZ over its on-air sponsorships, threatening to limit funding for the already fiscally troubled broadcaster. WBEZ is one of 13 NPR and PBS member radio stations being probed by the FCC, which is looking into whether their underwriting announcements comply with regulations.

The investigation, initiated by FCC Chair Brendan Carr in January, focuses on whether the on-air sponsorships aired by WBEZ and other public radio stations cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements. Carr has expressed concerns that such occurrences would "undermine any case for continuing to fund NPR and PBS with taxpayer dollars."

According to the Chicago Sun Times, WBEZ received a request for information from the FCC on February 28th, with a deadline to provide the requested details by the end of March. A WBEZ spokesperson confirmed the receipt of the letter, stating that the station adheres to FCC underwriting guidelines and is confident that any review will demonstrate compliance with these guidelines.

The investigation has sparked concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to exert control over public news organizations. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has characterized the investigation as "yet another Administration effort to weaponize the power of the FCC." The probe has also raised questions about the potential impact on funding for public radio stations, which rely on a mix of public and private funding sources.

In the case of WBEZ, about 4.6 percent of its total operating revenue last year came from the publicly funded Corporation for Public Broadcasting non-profit, totaling around $1.47 million. The investigation comes at a challenging time for WBEZ's parent company, Chicago Public Media, which is dealing with financial challenges and has recently announced 35 staff buyouts as part of its cost-reduction efforts.

The FCC's investigation into WBEZ and other public radio stations has broader implications for the future of public media and the role of government funding in supporting independent journalism. As the probe continues, it remains to be seen how the FCC's findings will impact the funding and operations of public radio stations across the country.