NPR CEO Faces Pressure to Resign Amid Budget Cuts

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has reportedly asked National Public Radio (NPR) CEO Katherine Maher to step down due to anticipated federal budget reductions, as mentioned in a New York Times article published Tuesday.

Since taking the helm at NPR in 2024, Maher has encountered criticism from some “right-wing activists” and public broadcasting peers over alleged political bias in the network’s programming.

According to sources, CPB CEO Patricia Harrison discussed concerns about NPR’s perceived bias with Maher earlier this spring. There were questions about whether to address audience worries regarding the organization’s reporting.

“Maher rejected the proposal,” the Times noted. She apparently felt that admitting bias would undermine NPR and wouldn’t satisfy its critics. After her refusal, tensions between CPB and NPR escalated. Harrison told Maher it would benefit public media if she resigned.

This conversation occurred before an executive order from President Donald Trump in May that cut funding for both NPR and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which receives financial support from CPB.

Come July, Congress pulled over $1 billion in funding from CPB, a measure backed by Trump.

The Times also highlighted ongoing issues between NPR and CPB, leading to NPR filing a lawsuit against CPB in September. This legal battle alleges that CPB diverted funds designated for NPR. As the case proceeds, emails exchanged between the two entities have surfaced, revealing further conflicts.

One NPR executive was quoted as saying in an email, “I have a dream scenario: We get the money, and CPB disappears by action of Congress.”

In August, CPB announced plans to begin winding down operations due to the funding losses.