NPR News Chief Barnes Gives Notice
The news of Barnes’ imminent departure now means NPR will be searching for two top news executives at the same time. Lansing’s remarks in an initial memo to staff about the new executive job released Friday morning ahead of Barnes’ revelation suggested that the network’s search for a new chief content officer was driven by strategic aims and financial pressures. It reflected the changing nature of the media business, and the need to fight for audiences.
Barnes joined NPR in November 2018, after serving as Executive Editor for Hearst Texas Newspapers and the Houston Chronicle. She previously served as Executive Editor at the Minneapolis Star Tribune Media Company from 2007 to 2013, leading the newsroom to a Pulitzer Prize in local reporting, as well as other national awards. Barnes’ memo did say that she would stay until at least late November. [Photo credit: Wanyu Zhang]