NPR has cut staff in its news division, combining layoffs with voluntary buyouts as part of a reorganization meant to reduce costs.
The network laid off 10 journalists and offered buyouts to at least 18 news employees, according to three people with direct knowledge who spoke on condition of anonymity. NPR also plans to leave eight open positions unfilled. Leadership said the total reductions equal roughly 4% of NPR’s content division, which covers newsroom staff and podcasts. NPR said no personnel from specific news programs or podcast teams were affected.
Editor-in-Chief Thomas Evans acknowledged the difficulty of saying goodbye in a note to staff, calling the day “incredibly heavy.” President and CEO Katherine Maher and Evans said the moves are targeted steps to save about $8 million after NPR projected a $15 million decline in member station fees.
NPR framed the reductions as part of its response to Congress’ decision last summer to eliminate federal subsidies for public media. While federal funds accounted directly for roughly 1% of NPR’s budget, the rescission cut deeply into the finances of local public radio stations that pay for NPR programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Those budget pressures have prompted layoffs and cuts at stations and public broadcasters nationwide.
At the same time, NPR has received unusually large philanthropic support this year. The network reported two of the largest charitable gifts in its history this spring, including an anonymous $33 million contribution. NPR says part of that gift helped cover $8 million in emergency relief to stations. Maher said the generosity of donors has softened some of the immediate impacts of lost federal funding and emphasized the need to use those gifts to reach long-term sustainability.
Several veteran NPR reporters accepted buyouts. Confirmed departures include National Political Correspondent Don Gonyea, Managing Editor Vickie Walton-James and Investigations Correspondent Joe Shapiro. Shapiro, who joined NPR in 2001, posted on social media expressing pride in his work and gratitude for the audience.
Among those laid off was Science Correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce, who has been with NPR since 2005. She described science coverage as a welcome break from often grim political or economic news and said she hopes the network will continue to emphasize that reporting. She said she is philosophical about her departure after decades in journalism.
Disclosure: This story was written and reported by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by NPR Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR’s protocol for reporting on itself, no corporate official or news executive reviewed the story before publication.