Cutbacks Cause Conflict Between NPR, Member Stations
Cutbacks and budget worries at National Public Radio Inc. are exacerbating tension between the Washington, D.C., organization and some of the member stations.
Some member stations fear NPR budget cuts might hurt the quality of marquee public radio shows “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” making it harder for local stations to raise funds during those shows, which typically bring in the lion’s share of listener donations and corporate underwriting. In addition, the cost-cutting has reignited long-simmering fears that NPR will grab the bulk of online listeners, at the expense of individual station Web sites.
Marc Goldstein
Ruth Seymour, general manager of KCRW
The tensions have been exacerbated by an email, making the rounds in public-radio circles, written by Ruth Seymour, general manager of KCRW in Santa Monica, Calif., one of NPR’s biggest and most influential member stations.
“We have our own programs to consider, our staffs to protect, and local communities to answer to,” wrote Ms. Seymour