Senate committee confirms two appointees to Mississippi Public Broadcasting board; members press on NPR programming and funding needs
5489342 · March 11, 2025
Summary
The Senate Committee on Nominations approved Charles Edward Cowan and Corey Joseph Custer to the Mississippi Educational Television/Mississippi Public Broadcasting board. Senators questioned programming balance and asked about funding for towers and digital initiatives.
The Senate Committee on Nominations advised and consented to two appointments to the Mississippi Educational Television (ETV) / Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) board: Charles Edward Cowan (senate nomination 31), to serve the remainder of a term through June 2027, and Corey Joseph Custer (senate nomination 32), with a term beginning July 30, 2024 through June 2028.
During Cowan's hearing, Senator Polk and others raised concerns about perceived partisan content carried on programs supplied by National Public Radio and asked whether MPB separates news and opinion. Cowan, who described a personal connection to MPB dating to childhood, said MPB is a state agency distinct from NPR and that the board and executives are aware of the need to distinguish opinion from news. "MPB is a state agency. MPB is not NPR," Cowan said, adding that MPB relies on some NPR programming but must be mindful about balance and labeling opinion.
Corey Custer, deputy chief of staff for external affairs in the governor's office, said he oversees communications and described priorities he would bring to the board: program criteria, securing funding to upgrade towers, developing original content, and addressing educational needs. "I believe news, especially if it's funded by the taxpayers, should be unbiased," Custer said. He also discussed MPB's plans to digitize assets and a proposed Mississippi hybrid instruction program that would hire teachers to provide distance-learning instruction in subjects like English and algebra.
Why it matters: MPB supplies public radio and television programming, educational content, and transmission infrastructure across Mississippi. Board appointments shape decisions about programming balance, digital preservation, tower upgrades and education initiatives that affect schools and communities across the state.
Votes at a glance
- Senate nomination 31, Charles Edward Cowan — Motion to advise and consent (mover: Senator Blunt); outcome: approved by voice vote (tally not specified).
- Senate nomination 32, Corey Joseph Custer — Motion to advise and consent (mover: Senator Parker); outcome: approved by voice vote (tally not specified).
Details and follow-up: Committee members asked nominees to file required statements of economic interest; the chair specifically asked Cowan and Custer to file their SEI forms before floor consideration. Cowan was encouraged to submit his economic disclosure promptly. Custer described prior experience overseeing communications at large federal agencies and said he had overseen budgets and media teams in previous roles.
Both nominees expressed support for MPB's mission and emphasized the value of original and cultural programming; one senator suggested additional programming to showcase Mississippi artists and cultural events. The committee recorded approvals by voice vote and will report the nominations to the full Senate.
