NPR’s Edith Chapin to step down
NPR Editor in Chief and interim CCO Edith Chapin will step down later this year, the network announced Tuesday.
Chapin, who has worked in editorial leadership roles for 13 years at NPR, will step down in September or October, according to a report by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik. The decision was hers and not motivated by Congress’ defunding of CPB, Folkenflik reported.
“I have had two big executive jobs for two years and I want to take a break,” she told Folkenflik. “I want to make sure my performance is always top-notch for the company.”
In addition to being NPR’s top editor, Chapin has served as CCO on an interim basis since 2023 as part of then-CEO John Lansing’s merger of news and programming divisions.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve NPR’s listeners and readers, and work alongside some of the most dedicated journalists in the world,” she wrote in a message to staff quoted in an NPR press release. “I will leave deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished and confident in the strength and integrity of NPR’s newsroom going forward.”
Chapin got her start at NPR in 2012 as the head of its international desk. She was later promoted to executive editor. In that role, she led NPR’s collaborative journalism efforts.
Last year, Chapin announced a new “Backstop” editorial team in response to accusations by former editor Uri Berliner and members of Congress of alleged bias at the network and a lack of ideological representation on staff.
“Edith Chapin is a leader in journalistic integrity, a champion for the newsroom, calm in the storm — and an indispensable partner during my first year at NPR,” NPR CEO Katherine Maher said in the release. “Edith laid the foundation for a stronger public radio, and set us on a solid path with her expert navigation. She has led with conviction, clarity, and compassion — always putting the public’s interest first. Her impact on NPR’s journalism and on the many people she mentored and supported over the years is immeasurable.”
