NPR News Chief Announces Resignation
• Edith Chapin, NPR‘s Sr. Vice President, Editor In Chief and Acting Chief Content Officer told colleagues Tuesday morning that she has decided to step down.
Chapin’s announcement comes just days after the Republican-led Congress voted to strip public broadcasting of all federal funding. Chapin says the decision to step down was hers, was made two weeks ago, and was not driven by the actions of Congress.
In a statement, NPR Pres. & CEO Katherine Maher said, “Edith Chapin is a leader in journalistic integrity, a champion for the newsroom, calm in the storm — and an indispensable partner during my first year at NPR. Edith laid the foundation for a stronger public radio, and set us on a solid path with her expert navigation. She has led with conviction, clarity, and compassion — always putting the public’s interest first. Her impact on NPR’s journalism and on the many people she mentored and supported over the years is immeasurable.”
A veteran journalist, Chapin came to NPR in 2012 after 25 years at CNN. She was later promoted to lead the newsroom on a day-to-day basis, and subsequently elevated to SVP of News and Editor In Chief over the entire division.
In a message to the staff, Chapin wrote, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve NPR’s listeners and readers, and work alongside some of the most dedicated journalists in the world. I will leave deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished and confident in the strength and integrity of NPR’s newsroom going forward.”
NPR will begin a national search for new editorial leadership. In the interim, Chapin will remain head of newsroom operations. [Photo credit: Stephen Voss / NPR]
