Published March 9, 2011
Vivian Schiller
As you likely know by now, NPR President and CEO Vivian Schiller resigned today, following inflammatory remarks by NPR’s chief fundraiser and last fall’s controversial dismissal of news analyst Juan Williams. NPR’s top news executive, Ellen Weiss, resigned following Williams’ dismissal.
The move is reverberating through public radio stations around the country, including here in Boston. Here’s the newscast spot WBUR’s Deborah Becker filed for All Things Considered:
The NPR board asked for Vivian Schiller’s resignation after an undercover video showed an NPR executive making controversial comments and saying NPR would be better off without federal funding. Congress is considering whether to cut $90 million for public radio, which would likely affect all 764 NPR member stations. Among them is WBUR, which could lose more than $1 million if federal funding is cut.
WBUR General Manager Charles Kravetz says the effect on ‘BUR is not yet clear.
“I think that ‘BUR is in a healthy position. But we’re yet to see if there is an impact from what’s going on at NPR on our overall financial health. I’m optimistic.”
Kravetz is concerned that smaller stations may not survive without federal funding.
Just last hour, Kravetz spoke at greater length on Radio Boston with Anthony Brooks. Listen here:
Our two national shows also covered the resignation, with On Point devoting its second hour to NPR and public funding and Here & Now discussing the news with the New York Times’ Brian Stelter.
From NPR’s Two-Way Blog: