Programs/Content
Why NPR’s newsmag tweaks are a gamble worth taking
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There’s no doubt that a livelier presentation and coverage of topics of concern to midlifers, such as personal finance and health and wellness, will have a positive effect.
System/Policy
NPR CEO warns of ‘hostile environment’ ahead for journalism, scrutiny of pubmedia
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“We should be well prepared at every moment to talk with enthusiasm about the purpose and value of public media,” CEO Katherine Maher said.
System/Policy
NPR data shows staff diversity holding steady as voluntary turnover improves
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The NPR board’s DEI and development committees met last week to discuss diversity data and digital fundraising.
Programs/Content
CPB provides $1.9M to bolster editorial oversight at NPR
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The grant follows NPR’s earlier announcement of plans to create a “Backstop” team to review news reporting.
Tech
With Grove adoption nearly complete, stations look to enhancements, single sign-on
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With more than 200 public radio stations and NPR itself now using the Grove content management system for their websites, public media’s digital infrastructure overhaul is moving forward.
Programs/Content
NPR updates newsmag strategy to address audience declines
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The changes include shorter segments, a broader range of topics and more “joy.”
System/Policy
NPR budget boosted by development revenue
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Income from current fiscal year development activities is projected to top 17% over FY23.
System/Policy
NPR’s Katherine Maher tackles big questions about public media’s role
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In a PMDMC keynote, Maher described building a “common national fabric” for civic dialogue and defining what audiences want.
System/Policy
Ted Cruz questions NPR about foundation funding in letter to CEO
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“What precautions does NPR take, if any, to ensure that financial contributions from its donors do not impact its editorial decisions?” Cruz asked.
People
How NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe is changing the sound of public radio
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Rascoe has brought a fresh, relatable perspective to her role as the host of “Weekend Edition Sunday,” and listeners are responding.
System/Policy
NPR receives $5.5M grant to expand collaborative journalism efforts
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The grant will support the creation of an Appalachia newsroom and experiments with short-form video.
Programs/Content
‘The Thistle & Shamrock’ will end Sept. 30 after 40-plus years
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“The Thistle & Shamrock” airs on 237 NPR member stations, delving into new and traditional Celtic music through interviews with singers, songwriters and music experts.
System/Policy
Appeals court rejects defamation suit by right-wing journalist against NPR, Yahoo News
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Matthew Couch, founder of the news website D.C. Patriot, had spread conspiracy theories about the 2016 murder of Democratic National Committee employee Seth Rich.
Programs/Content
Apple update disrupts podcast downloads, but blow is softened for some stations
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LAist “dodged a little bit of a bullet,” while New Hampshire Public Radio has continued to see audience growth.
Programs/Content
LAist’s ‘Inheriting’ podcast aims to shed light on Asian American and Pacific Islander history and community
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The show digs in with seven families to show how past traumas can trickle down through generations.
System/Policy
NPR, stations object to proposed FCC rules on reporting outages
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More filing requirements would strain already limited resources, the broadcasters said in comments to the commission.
System/Policy
Public eye on NPR spurred editorial additions, says Chapin
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With NPR in the news, questions circulated about what the network wanted to do and what would be helpful, said Editor in Chief Edith Chapin.
Programs/Content
NPR will add 11 staff to ‘strengthen’ editorial team
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“We need new structures that enable us to see across the entirety of our journalism and think about our overall coverage strategically,” said Edith Chapin, CCO, SVP and editor in chief.
System/Policy
House hearing on NPR bias brings criticism from Republicans, but praise for local stations
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Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers said the committee will “investigate the allegations against NPR and take appropriate action based upon what we find.”
System/Policy
NPR CEO won’t attend House hearing on allegations of bias
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A meeting of NPR’s board of directors, Maher’s first since joining the network, was scheduled for Wednesday more than a year ahead of time.