NPR trims jobs in newsroom overhaul as it confronts era without public funding

"NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher says the network has to fill a gap of $8 million in its $300-million annual budget because of the elimination of federal subsidies for its member stations, which pay NPR to air programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered. In a memo to staff, she said the network expects to earn $15 million less in station fees this year and is anticipating a drop in corporate sponsorship revenue."

"The network is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees, mostly within newsgathering desks in the newsroom. Staff of NPR's news programs, including hosts, are not eligible. The company said more targeted layoffs of journalists would ensue if 30 staffers do not accept the voluntary buyouts by next Tuesday, May 26."

"Paradoxically, just prior to the announcement of these cost-cutting measures, NPR received a pair of private gifts totaling $113 million representing the network's second- and third-largest in its 56-year history. Most of that money, however, is dedicated to technological innovation. Maher also acknowledges a mighty wave of individual contributions following Congress' vote last summer to take back all $1.1 billion it already had committed to public media."

"“The extraordinary generosity of donors across the nation has really mitigated some of the hardest impacts of the loss of federal funding,” Maher says. “I am relieved that that is the case. And now it is our responsibility to ensure that we take that gift that they have given us and use this time to get to a place where we are sustainable for the future.”"

NPR is restructuring its newsroom by cutting some reporting and editing roles as audience habits change and federal subsidies end. NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher says the network must close an $8 million gap in a $300 million annual budget because member stations no longer receive federal support that helps them pay NPR for programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. NPR expects $15 million less in station fees and a decline in corporate sponsorship revenue. The network is offering buyouts to about 300 employees, mainly in newsgathering desks, with additional layoffs possible if enough staff do not accept by May 26. NPR also received private gifts totaling $113 million, largely for technological innovation, and Maher credits individual donations for mitigating impacts of the loss of federal funding.

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