• by Ray Schultz , Yesterday

Edith Chapin, the editor in chief of NPR, is leaving her post, probably in September or October. 

The news follows the decision by Congress to kill federal funding for public broadcasting. However, Chapin says her decision was not by that, but by a desire to take a break, and she announced her plans to Katherine Maher, NPR’s chief executive, prior to the Congressional action.

"It's not a good time to do it, but it's never a good time," Chapin says, according to NPR. "I needed to pick a date and share my decision."

The job will certainly not be easier going forward. Although NPR gets less than 2% of its funding from the federal government, some member stations receive from 8% to 10%. 

NPR expects to reduce its operating budget by $8 million and apply it to fee relief for the most affected member stations. 

Congress voted to “claw back” $1.1 billion in funding for public broadcasting, with legislators accusing NPR and PBS of liberal bias. 

Chapin joined NPR in 2012 from CNN. She was named top editor and chief content officer in 2023. 

There was no information on a possible successor, or the process for finding one.