NPR editor Edith Chapin resigns after Congress – Business News
NPR’s high editor and performing chief content material officer is leaving the group later this yr — simply days after Congress axed its federal funding.
Edith Chapin instructed staffers Tuesday that she is stepping down and that she gave her discover to NPR chief government officer Katherine Maher two weeks in the past, based on a report from NPR.
The transfer comes at a tough time for public broadcasters like PBS and NPR — home to flagship exhibits “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”
NPR’s high editor Edith Chapin has resigned amid federal funding cuts that can influence the public broadcaster. Getty Images for IWMF
Last week, Congress slashed all $500 million in annual federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which backs NPR and PBS.
NPR receives about 1% of its funds from federal sources yearly, and about 3% not directly from stations, the company has reported.
The bulk of NPR’s funding comes from member station charges, company sponsorships and particular person donations, however the cut in funding may have a main influence on its member stations.
“I have had two big executive jobs for two years and I want to take a break. I want to make sure my performance is always top-notch for the company,” Chapin mentioned in an interview with NPR.
She mentioned she expects to remain on the company till September or October.
In a be aware to staffers on Tuesday, Maher thanked Chapin for her work.
“Edith has been an indispensable partner during my first year at NPR, a steady leader for a large part of this organization, and a fantastic collaborator as a member of the executive team,” she wrote.
The CEO didn’t present any particulars about transition planning and interim management but.
Chapin’s departure means Maher will need to fill two high roles on the company. Chapin oversaw NPR’s information report, in addition to its podcasting business.
NPR CEO Katherine Maher thanked Chapin for her service and mentioned she is going to replace staffers on transition planning quickly. Anadolu by way of Getty Images
The veteran journalist joined NPR from CNN in 2012 as chief worldwide editor and has held completely different roles during her time there, together with senior vice president of information and editor in chief.
In 2023, she grew to become NPR’s high editor and added the function of interim chief content material officer a few months later.
Around that time, NPR had been gripped by finances cuts and laid off 10% of its employees and halted the manufacturing of a number of podcasts.
Legislation to claw back federal funding from public broadcasters, together with NPR and PBS, is predicted to hit President Trump’s desk. Corbis by way of Getty Images
A yr later, one of its senior editors, Uri Berliner, penned an essay for the Free Press that accused NPR of having liberal bias.
Chapin despatched a memo to employees shortly after, defending the “exceptional work” of NPR journalists because the company took steps to increase editor scrutiny on its tales. Berliner, who had been suspended with out pay, resigned quickly after.
The House of Representatives’ vote to claw back federal funding final week has shaken up staffers at NPR. Maher spoke to workers final week, telling staffers that the company will face “a tremendous amount of change.”
The laws will head to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
