According to NPR and the federal government, a train carrying toxic chemicals crashes in Ohio. It’s not a big deal. NPR reports that 100 people will be laid off, and it’s a “major lose.” Okay.
National Public Radio will be reducing its workforce by 10%. This means that around 100 people will be terminated. Vacant positions will be eliminated. According to the outlet, CEO John Lansing attributed the decision to cut advertising funds specifically for its podcasts. NPR’s annual budget is $300 million, and revenues could fall between $30 million and $32 million.
Lansing sent a memo to NPR staffers saying, “When you say that we are cutting filled positions, we mean our colleagues — people who have skills, spirit and talents that make NPR what they are today.” It will be a significant loss. Lansing did not specify what jobs would be eliminated, but he said that there will not be any cuts across the board. NPR will ensure that no “employees with color” are affected by the reductions.
NPR’s podcast arm can use advertising revenue but the radio side relies on corporate donations and underwriting. These have declined and the underwriting funds have not met expectations. NPR isn’t the only one to announce cuts. Other tech giants and big entertainment outlets like Vice and Disney also announced reductions. Given the fact that these cuts were on a much larger scale, 100 people seems like a drop in a bucket. Unless, of course you are one of those who has handed in their corporate badge.
I feel sorry for those who are being axed, and it is true. No matter how hard you work, success in media is not for everyone. Radio is a passion that you enjoy. I was there for over 20 years. This is not always the best reason for you to get a job. Not everyone in the industry makes it to CNN or late-night television. I applied for many jobs at NPR stations. This was in the 1990s and I wasn’t selected to join the elite ranks of NPR.
I was a fan of my closest affiliate. I enjoyed the in-depth reporting and long-form reporting. Utah NPR station that I listened to featured a lot of cutting-edge music from lesser-known artists. I have made purchases from Wireless and Signals in the past. These catalogs carried unique merchandise for intellectual and cultural elites or people who wish to be. A portion of the profits was donated to NPR and PBS.
People and companies don’t have the funds to spend the same amount of money as they used to. This may be the primary reason for corporate underwriters. However, I believe that people have moved away from NPR due to its content. Although they might not admit it. NPR was once an alternative to traditional media outlets. The condescending, elitist, and woke scolding it provides can be heard in any school or college classroom, in your local library, or at the Wednesday morning staff meeting — or on any White House press briefing or TV program, news-related or otherwise. You don’t have to be shamed or yelled at. You don’t have to pay anything for this privilege. Sorry, it was an incorrect usage of the word “privilege”, wasn’t? I apologize.
I don’t gloat. However, I wouldn’t gloat if you asked. Since the current administration came to power, people have had to make difficult decisions and cut back. It is a result of the leadership of the country that the problem is growing. It is a shame for those employees who are trying to find work or worrying about their financial future. NPR is doing well. It is reaping the fruits of what it has sow for many years.
