NPR Belt-Tightening Builds Tension at Member Stations

Budget woes at National Public Radio are heightening tensions between the nonprofit broadcaster and its member stations, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Affiliates fear the cost-cutting will affect the quality of marquee NPR shows “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” and foster fund-raising competition between the national entity and local stations. Concerns spiked after The Washington Post reported last month on suggestions for NPR to mount a national on-air fund drive.

NPR President Vivian Schiller sent a note to local stations assuring them the network has “no plans whatsoever to launch a national giving campaign on behalf of NPR.”

See a Chronicle profile of Ms. Schiller.

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