I'd add that even if it received funding through private enterprise, it would still be infused with the politics of said backers - whether intentionally or not.

The best you could possibly achieve is funding purely through small time (non business) donations from the public - and I'm still a little skeptical as to the scope of research that could realistically fund.

> it would still be infused with the politics of said backers

Of course it would. Whoever pays the piper always calls the tune.

It's no surprise that NPR and PBS advocate for the government point of view.

Only true to a certain extent. Is the judicial power not separate from politics? Maybe not completely, but it has measures in place to secure some type of autonomy.

What I'm talking about is removing micromanagement and ensuring that the institution is trusted.