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KCRW general manager Ruth Seymour has written an email to longtime National Public Radio reporter and host Susan Stamberg detailing complaints about NPR cuts and fundraising, says a story in the Wall Street Journal citing "exacerbating tension" between the network and member stations. Seymour's full email is after the jump; here's a salient part.
Local stations are struggling to make ends meet. While NPR has suffered major underwriting losses and reduced foundation grants, that's just as true for member stations. We have our own programs to consider, our staffs to protect and local communities to answer to.In addition to paying millions to NPR, stations make available a drive-time audience for NPR underwriting, even though that often competes with our own underwriting efforts.
The most baffling and egregious development is NPR's firing journalists at the same time as it appears to be hiring more online staff. Experienced broadcast journalists -- like John McChesney, Jacki Lydon, Kim Masters -- were let go. Since that time the network has posted at least five online jobs.
Moreover, NPR's lack of interest in producing new programs for radio is alarming. Radio is our core business and our greatest achievement. Now some of the most gifted independent producers tell me that they are bypassing NPR and distributing their programs elsewhere. This is an ominous portent for the future of our network.
Those of us who venerate broadcast journalism and believe that it is our central mission (and I count you among us) are dismayed by these developments.
I've had no contact with Seymour or anyone at KCRW about this issue or the email; I learned about it from KCRW staffer Gary Scott's media blog. I am a regular commentator for the station, as well as a member of both KCRW and KPCC.
Meanwhile: KCRW has arranged a nifty fundraiser with Whole Foods, which will donate 5% of net sales today at participating LA and Orange County merkets to KCRW. Info
Seymour's email, from the WSJ:
Dear Susan,
This is Ruth Seymour at KCRW. I'm writing you about your comments in Paul Farhi's Washington Post article.
While I understand your loyalty and concern for your colleagues at NPR, I need to remind you of what happened in 1983 when NPR faced bankruptcy.
The campaign to raise money from listeners for the network originated at KCRW and was taken up by other stations across the country. I asked you, Bob Edwards, Robert Siegal, Scott Simon and other NPR hosts and reporters to record one-minute spots asking our listeners to support NPR News with a special contribution marked "KCRW for NPR News."
In return for the funds we raised, we asked for and received underwriting credit on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
This grass roots campaign, created and produced by the stations, was our response to a time when NPR was in danger of going under -- and we stations were not.
Today, we're all in the same boat!
Local stations are struggling to make ends meet. While NPR has suffered major underwriting losses and reduced foundation grants, that's just as true for member stations. We have our own programs to consider, our staffs to protect and local communities to answer to.
In addition to paying millions to NPR, stations make available a drive-time audience for NPR underwriting, even though that often competes with our own underwriting efforts.
The most baffling and egregious development is NPR's firing journalists at the same time as it appears to be hiring more online staff. Experienced broadcast journalists -- like John McChesney, Jacki Lydon, Kim Masters -- were let go. Since that time the network has posted at least five online jobs.
Moreover, NPR's lack of interest in producing new programs for radio is alarming. Radio is our core business and our greatest achievement. Now some of the most gifted independent producers tell me that they are bypassing NPR and distributing their programs elsewhere. This is an ominous portent for the future of our network.
Those of us who venerate broadcast journalism and believe that it is our central mission (and I count you among us) are dismayed by these developments.
Please turn your attention to what's happening at NPR. Look closely at the digital operation. How many layoffs has it experienced? NPR has cut two news programs. How many online services have also been cut?
It's difficult to understand how all this online investment and promotion is helping stations who have their own websites to support.
I'm certain you speak out of passion born of many years of service. So do I. I shared most of those years and have also fought in the trenches for the network.
I think we must look to what happens after the economy recovers. What kind of NPR will emerge?
Will it be just another online service looking for a business plan?
Or -- will it remain an esteemed radio news network, the voice that millions of Americans have come to depend on and trust?
Please feel free to share this email with your colleagues.
Fondest regards,
Ruth