Uri Berliner, a US National Public Radio (NPR) editor, has announced his resignation from the independent broadcaster after accusing it of having a liberal bias in an online essay. This sparked backlash from conservative audiences and a slew of critical responses from Berliner’s colleagues.
In a social media post shared on Wednesday, Berliner revealed that he was stepping down due to reproach from NPR’s chief executive, Katherine Maher. Maher, the former CEO of Web Summit where she succeeded Paddy Cosgrave last November, has joined the broadcasting corporation earlier this year. She continues to hold the position of chairwoman at the event management business.
In his explanation, Berliner stated, “I am stepping down as I cannot be part of a news organisation where I am publicly humiliated by a new CEO, whose controversial views only serve to prove my accusations against NPR as expressed in my Free Press essay.”
In his departure letter addressed to Maher, Berliner showered praise on NPR, ennobling it as an “esteemed American establishment.” He also expressed his admiration for his fellow workers’ ethics and articulated his hopes for NPR to flourish and maintain its ground-breaking journalistic endeavours.
However, NPR’s representative, Isabel Lara, declined to provide a statement on the issue, stating that the organisation does not discuss any personnel-related matters.
Berliner revealed in an interview that the final push towards his resignation was a mail interaction with Maher earlier this week. This email contained a hint that a memorandum distributed by Maher last week, discussing professionalism in the workplace, was directed at him, irrespective of any direct mention.
Berliner’s online essay which raised severe criticisms against NPR resulted in his isolation within the network. Some colleagues informed The New York Times that they no longer aspired to collaborate with him. Moreover, the piece was vociferously condemned by Edith Chapin, the senior editor at the network, causing ripple effects in the NPR team, including Steve Inskeep, the anchor of “Morning Edition.” Inskeep expressed on Substack, a newsletter distribution platform, that Berliner didn’t concern himself with any contrasting viewpoints. He critiqued, “This article was in desperate need of a proficient editor…Whoever, if anyone, overlooked Uri’s story, enabled the publishing of an article that debased itself.”
A previous essay by Berliner received backing from a handful of ex-NPR employees. Jeffrey A. Dvorkin, an erstwhile ombudsman, asserted via social media that Berliner wasn’t mistaken. An ex-managing editor at NPR, Chuck Holmes, lauded Berliner’s essay as “courageous” on his Facebook page.
Detractors of NPR, inclusive of right-wing activists, leveraged Berliner’s essay in The Free Press as a means of discrediting the firm’s journalistic credibility and leadership. An activist named Christopher Rufo initiated the public display of Maher’s social media posts, which displayed an open critique of President Donald Trump and support for progressive ideologies. Rufo’s reputation includes exerting pressure on media outlets to discuss negative narratives about famous people, like the plagiarism accusation against Claudine Gay, previous President of Harvard.
A recent statement by NPR emphasised Maher’s critical social media posts date from before her tenure as CEO, and highlighted she was not part of the news team back then.
Prior to his resignation from NPR, the company had already suspended Berliner for five days for breaking the policy prohibiting working for external entities without sanction.
In talking about his future post-NPR, Berliner mentioned his intention on tending to his physical wellbeing by getting ample sleep and devoting time to his family. This particular piece originally comes from The New York Times – The New York Times Company 2024.