NPR CEO Katherine Maher strongly denied claims of liberal bias at the public broadcaster, emphasizing that reporters are committed to nonpartisan coverage.
In a rare public acknowledgment of criticism from former editor Uri Berliner, NPR CEO Katherine Maher steadfastly defended the integrity of the organization's newsroom. During an on-stage conversation at the Texas Tribune Festival, Maher asserted that NPR employees prioritize objectivity and serving the American public.
Maher emphasized her role as a non-journalist responsible for overall strategy and oversight, relying on newsroom leaders to guide coverage. "My responsibility is ensuring the big picture, and their responsibility is ensuring the integrity," she stated.
NPR CEO Defends News Integrity After Allegations of Liberal Bias
Berliner's allegations, which included accusations of downplayed antisemitism and biased reporting on sensitive issues such as Russiagate and the Hunter Biden laptop, were met with defiance from Maher. She maintained that his criticism was an "affront" to NPR journalists who strived for nonpartisanship.
While acknowledging that Berliner's critiques opened a dialogue, Maher questioned their validity based on her examination of specific stories he cited. She deemed them an "agenda-driven critique" rooted in broader sentiments about public media funding.
NPR CEO Defends News Integrity After Allegations of Liberal Bias
Maher recognized the need for self-reflection in the face of perceived criticism, highlighting NPR's efforts to engage with different perspectives and ensure a broad audience is served. "[We] want to be down the line, we want to serve the American public well," she said.
The CEO also addressed concerns raised by Berliner regarding a perceived lack of viewpoint diversity in the NPR newsroom. She noted that Washington, D.C.'s hiring practices prohibit screening based on political affiliation and emphasized the importance of diverse lived experiences in journalism.
NPR CEO Defends News Integrity After Allegations of Liberal Bias
Maher pointed to NPR's investment in collaborative newsrooms outside of D.C. as a means of incorporating different perspectives from regions such as Appalachia and the Midwest. "That's a great way for us to start getting out of D.C. and bringing in people who have a variety of different lived experiences and backgrounds," she said.
Acknowledging that NPR faced criticism from all sides, Maher stressed that the organization's commitment to balance and fairness extended to all topics and ideologies. "We want to serve people from a range of perspectives and backgrounds. And they should feel as though that coverage is meaningful to them," she concluded.
NPR CEO Defends News Integrity After Allegations of Liberal Bias
