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The Hill
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
NPR editor-in-chief Edith Chapin resigning amid attacks from Trump administration
This week, NPR's editor-in-chief and acting chief content officer, Edith Chapin, announced she is stepping down — a decision she says was entirely her own. But the timing couldn't feel more symbolic. Her resignation comes just days after Congress voted to eliminate all $500 million in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. And while NPR itself doesn't rely heavily on federal dollars, the same can't be said for its member stations — especially in rural areas where these grants keep the lights on. This isn't just a media story. It's a story about who gets to stay informed — and who gets left behind. Let's start with Chapin. During her time at NPR, she didn't just hold a title — she elevated the newsroom. She led the charge to hire senior editors specifically tasked with ensuring fairness, accuracy, and balance across NPR's reporting. In a time when media bias has become a political football, Chapin doubled down on journalistic standards. She once said, "We need to hear from all kinds of people — and that is our job. And we need to be as clear and transparent as we possibly can, and our audiences can decide how useful we are for them." Her departure is a loss for public journalism at a moment when it is already under siege. Now, let's talk about that funding cut. It's a move that's small-minded and shortsighted. Here's why: First, rural communities will be hit the hardest. Small stations don't have the same access to donors or corporate sponsors as big-city outlets. Without federal funding, they risk shutting down entirely — cutting off essential access to local news, weather alerts, and educational programming. Second, public media is a lifeline, not a luxury. Nearly three in four Americans rely on public radio for public safety updates. It's also the home of beloved shows like "Sesame Street" and "Daniel Tiger," especially for families who can't afford streaming platforms. Third, not everyone has Wi-Fi. Lawmakers arguing that public media is 'obsolete' forget that rural broadband is still unreliable in many parts of the country. Radio is still a reliable source of information that many Americans are using. This funding cut also defies the original purpose of public broadcasting, which was meant to provide unbiased, educational content for all Americans. Stripping it away because of perceived political slights? That's retaliation — not policy. So yes, Edith Chapin may have chosen to leave. But we all lose something when a principled journalist walks away in the shadow of a system that's being dismantled. And what's at stake isn't just news — it's access, it's education, and it's equity. Lindsey Granger is a News Nation contributor and co-host of The Hill's commentary show 'Rising.' This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.
LeMonde
a day ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
NPR editor-in-chief announces resignation after Trump funding cuts
The editor-in-chief of the United States' National Public Radio (NPR) announced her resignation on Tuesday, July 22, soon after the Republican-controlled Congress voted to cut millions in funding for the public broadcaster. In an email sent to employees on Tuesday, which was seen by AFP, NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher said Edith Chapin had informed her of her intention to leave before the funding cuts were formally made. Backed by US President Donald Trump, who regularly accuses media that is critical of him of being biased, Congress last week approved $1.1 billion in cuts to funds allocated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB provides a minority share of the budgets for NPR and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) network of television stations. The funding cuts would impact about 1,500 local radio and television stations across the country, from New York to Alaska, over two years. "This isn't an easy note to write," Chapin said in a note included in Maher's email to all NPR staff. "Two years with two big executive jobs has been a comprehensive assignment." She added that she would "reset after a few months of a career break." Maher praised Chapin's "enormous contribution" to the company, and said details of the transition would be worked out in due course. Chapin said she would remain in her job "for a while." The editor-in-chief's departure comes as Trump has sought to slash public funding for news organizations at home and abroad, seeking to shut down outlets including Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. In a statement last week, rights group Reporters Without Borders said Trump's administration was "increasingly hostile towards the press, both mimicking and inspiring authoritarian and quasi-authoritarian regimes around the world." Trump regularly accuses news media that criticizes him, including NPR, of having a "liberal" bias.
UPI
a day ago
- Business
- UPI
NPR news chief Edith Chapin to exit job
On Tuesday, NPR Editor-in-Chief and Chief Content Officer Edith Chapin said she's leaving the news agency after nearly 13 years only days after congressional Republicans axed federal funds for public broadcasting entities NPR and CPB. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo July 22 (UPI) -- NPR's Editor-in-Chief Edith Chapin said Tuesday she's leaving the news agency after nearly 13 years just days after congressional Republicans axed federal funding for public broadcasting. "It's not a good time to do it, but it's never a good time," Chapin told NPR of her decision to step down from her editor role and the position of acting chief content officer, admitting her choice was not driven by recent events in Congress. Chapin, who joined NPR in 2012 from CNN, said she informed NPR CEO Katherine Maher about two weeks ago and broke the news Tuesday to colleagues. She plans to stay until September or October, but "needed to pick a date and share my decision." "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," Maher wrote in a staff memo thanking Chapin for her work. The recently passed GOP-led rescission bill supported by U.S. President Donald Trump took back some $9 billion in federal funds that drastically reduced foreign aid. It reclaimed more than $1 billion for public broadcasting entities NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Meanwhile, reports suggest the pending Republican cuts to public broadcasting entities is already hurting largely rural U.S. regions. Chapin was given the acting role of NPR's new chief content officer in 2023 by then-NPR CEO John Lansing after it combined its reporting, shows and other podcast series. "I have had two big executive jobs for two years, and I want to take a break," Chapin stated Tuesday. "I want to make sure my performance is always top-notch for the company."
New York Post
a day ago
- Business
- New York Post
NPR's top editor Edith Chapin resigns days after Congress yanks federal funding
NPR's top editor and acting chief content officer is leaving the organization later this year — just days after Congress axed its federal funding. Edith Chapin told staffers Tuesday that she is stepping down and that she gave her notice to NPR Chief Executive Officer Katherine Maher two weeks ago, according to a report from NPR. The move comes at a difficult time for public broadcasters like PBS and NPR— home to flagship shows 'Morning Edition' and 'All Things Considered.' Advertisement 3 NPR's top editor Edith Chapin has resigned amid federal funding cuts that will impact 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 annually, and about 3% indirectly from stations, the company has reported. The bulk of NPR's funding comes from member station fees, corporate sponsorships and individual donations, but the cut in funding could have a major impact on its member stations. Advertisement '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 said in an interview with NPR. She said she expects to stay at the company until September or October. In a note to staffers on Tuesday, Maher thanked Chapin for her work. Advertisement '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 provide any details about transition planning and interim leadership yet. Chapin's departure means Maher will need to fill two top roles at the company. Chapin oversaw NPR's news report, as well as its podcasting business. 3 NPR CEO Katherine Maher thanked Chapin for her service and said she will update staffers on transition planning soon. Anadolu via Getty Images Advertisement The veteran journalist joined NPR from CNN in 2012 as chief international editor and has held different roles during her time there, including senior vice president of news and editor in chief. In 2023, she became NPR's top editor and added the role of interim chief content officer a few months later. Around that time, NPR had been gripped by budget cuts and laid off 10% of its staff and halted the production of several podcasts. 3 Legislation to claw back federal funding from public broadcasters, including NPR and PBS, is expected to hit President Trump's desk. Corbis via Getty Images A year later, one of its senior editors, Uri Berliner, penned an essay for The Free Press that accused NPR of having liberal bias. Chapin sent a memo to staff shortly after, defending the 'exceptional work' of NPR journalists as the company took steps to increase editor scrutiny on its stories. Berliner, who had been suspended without pay, resigned soon after. The House of Representatives' vote to claw back federal funding last week has shaken up staffers at NPR. Maher spoke to employees last week, telling staffers that the company will face 'a tremendous amount of change.' The legislation will head to President Trump's desk for his signature.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
NPR top editor stepping down
NPR's top editor will leave the outlet in the coming weeks, a departure that comes at a tumultuous time for the public broadcaster. Edith Chapin, who since 2023 has served as the public media company's top newsroom executive, told colleagues she will step down, saying she is ready to 'take a break,' NPR reported. News of Chapin's departure was first reported by The New York Times. Her reported resignation comes just days after Congress voted for cut tens of millions in federal funding for public broadcasters like NPR and PBS, a move President Trump trongly supported. The public broadcaster has faced a wave of criticism from Republicans in recent months over its editorial direction, which they allege to be biased against conservatives and funding models, which they have painted as an unnecessary burden to taxpayers. Chapin's decision was hers and not influenced by Congress'srecent action, NPR's report on her departure noted.
