In a shocking turn of events, NPR senior editor Uri Berliner has resigned after being suspended for criticizing the network’s coverage as too left-leaning. Berliner, who had been with NPR for 25 years, published an essay on The Free Press, criticizing the lack of viewpoint diversity among staff and accusing NPR of being politically biased in its coverage of major topics like the recent presidential elections and COVID-19.
Berliner announced his resignation on social media, citing his inability to work in a newsroom where he felt disparaged by the network’s new CEO. The CEO, Katherine Maher, came under fire for old tweets supporting progressive issues, sparking controversy within NPR and drawing criticism from figures like Elon Musk and conservative activist Christopher Rufo.
NPR responded to Berliner’s criticisms by announcing monthly meetings to discuss whether the network is accurately capturing the diversity of the country in its coverage. Meanwhile, calls to defund NPR have resurfaced, with former President Donald Trump labeling the network a “TOTAL SCAM” and a “LIBERAL DISINFORMATION MACHINE.” However, NPR only receives about 1% of its budget from federal funding, making defunding a challenging proposition.
The issue of defunding NPR is not new, with past presidents like Reagan, Nixon, and Bush attempting to reduce federal funding for public broadcasting. In 2011, the House voted to block federal funding for NPR after a controversial incident, but funding was ultimately not cut. Despite the criticism and calls for defunding, there is no immediate threat to NPR’s funding from the federal government.
The controversy surrounding Berliner’s resignation and Maher’s tweets highlights the ongoing debate over media bias and the need for viewpoint diversity in newsrooms. As NPR grapples with internal divisions and external criticism, the future of the network and its relationship with its audience remains uncertain. NPR has yet to comment on Maher’s tweets and the suspension of Berliner, leaving many questions unanswered as the story continues to unfold.
