NPR's newsroom shrinks through buyouts and layoffs

NPR reduced newsroom staffing by laying off 10 journalists, including veteran reporters, and offering buyouts to at least 18 news staffers who accepted voluntary departures. The network planned to leave eight positions empty and said no staff in news programs or podcasts were affected. NPR’s editor-in-chief expressed regret to staff and said the reductions totaled 4% of the content division, while pledging to maintain high standards. The changes aimed to address economic impacts from Congress eliminating federal subsidies for public media, which NPR said would reduce member station fees. NPR also reported increased donor support, including a $33 million anonymous gift to help cover emergency relief for stations.

"NPR has laid off 10 journalists, including some veteran reporters, in an attempt to save money and reorganize the newsroom. It also is buying out at least 18 news staffers who voluntarily accepted offers to depart, according to three people with direct knowledge. (The people spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of speaking publicly about internal network matters) The network intends to leave eight empty positions unfilled."

""Today has been incredibly heavy, and I want to acknowledge how difficult it is to say goodbye to our colleagues," Evans wrote. He said the total reductions amounted to 4% of NPR's content division, which includes the newsroom and podcasts, and pledged that the network would maintain high standards. No staff of news programs or podcasts were affected."

"The moves are part of NPR's effort to grapple with the economic consequences of Congress' vote last summer to eliminate federal subsidies for public media. While NPR relied directly on federal funds for about 1% of its budget, the cuts deeply hurt public radio stations who pay for the radio giant's programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher and Evans announced the cuts last week, describing them as targeted and necessary to save $8 million when the network anticipates a drop of $15 million in member station fees."

"Yet in the past year, donors have stepped up to support public radio stations and NPR itself. NPR lodged two of the largest philanthropic contributions in its history this spring. A $33 million gift, contributed anonymously, partly went to help NPR cover $8 million in previously announced emergency relief to stations, the network says. "The extraordinary generosity of donors across the nation has reall"

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