An open letter to you
An Open Letter from Journalists at NPR News . . .
Dear Listeners and Supporters,
We, and our colleagues at NPR News, strive every day to bring you the highest quality news programs possible. So, like you, we were appalled by the offensive comments made recently by NPR’s now former Senior Vice President for Development. His words violated the basic principles by which we live and work: accuracy and open-mindedness, fairness and respect.
Those comments have done real damage to NPR. But we’re confident that the culture of professionalism we have built, and the journalistic values we have upheld for the past four decades, will prevail. We are determined to continue bringing you the daily journalism that you’ve come to expect and rely upon: fair, fact-based, in-depth reporting from at home and around the world.
With your support we have no doubt NPR will come out of this difficult period stronger than ever.
Thank you,
Robert Siegel
Michele Norris
Melissa Block
Renee Montagne
Scott Simon
Liane Hansen
Guy Raz
Michel Martin
Neal Conan
Susan Stamberg
Nina Totenberg
Linda Wertheimer
Daniel Zwerdling
John Ydstie
Richard Harris
Tom Gjelten
Howard Berkes
Mike Shuster
Laura Sullivan
Lynn Neary
Jacki Lyden
Mara Liasson
Daniel Zwerdling was asked why there’s no mention of former NPR President Vivian Schiller. “We’re not trying to weigh in on management, in terms of which executive should or shouldn’t hold this or that position,” he said. “We do want to weigh in on what one executive, Ron Schiller, said: we’re appalled by it. And we want to remind folks that NPR is not about management coming and going, but about the terrific journalism the staff produces every day.”
Tags: NPR
Good, Mr Schiller is gone. Good, NPR reacted strongly and quickly. His statements to these tricksters were reckless and irresponsible. Unfortunately, the ease with which they drew this out suggests that it is not new or some brief ethical lapse and they were most likely not the first to hear him cynically suggest to big money supporters that NPR is a bulwark against the Tea Party. And, unfortunately, Tea Party members in the house will hold a grudge. Now NPR must quickly get new, confidence inspiring leadership that brings in supporters to make for the loss of Federal support. Maybe those who hold back because they figure you already get big government money will at last step.
Don’t worry. I will continue to listen to and support NPR and NCPR but I have to tell you I am not and was not “appalled” by what anyone, anywhere says about anything.
Dare I say, “Anyone who is appalled is being somewhat of an elitist.”