Hit by Recession, NPR to Lay Off Seven Percent of Staff (Dinosaur Media DeathWatch™)

Washington Post ^ | December 10, 2008 | Paul Farhi

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Faced with a sharp decline in revenue, National Public Radio said today it will pare back its once-flourishing operations, and institute its first organization-wide layoffs in 25 years.

Washington-based NPR said it would lay off about 7 percent of workforce and eliminate two daily programs produced out of its facilities in Culver City, Cal. The shows include "Day to Day," which was aimed at younger listeners, and the newsmaker-interview program "News & Notes," which NPR hoped would attract African Americans.

The layoffs of 64 of NPR's 889 employees is designed to close a $23 million shortfall in NPR's current fiscal year, said Dennis Haarsager, NPR's interim president and chief executive in an interview. The cutback will affect all departments, including reporters, producers, researchers and digital media employees.

Until very recently, NPR has bucked the consequences of the shrinking economy, finishing its last fiscal year in September on budget, with operating revenues of about $158 million. Its programs, especially the daily news shows "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," have remained popular, reaching some 26 million listeners per week. In July, its executives were projecting revenue growth in the new fiscal year, and additions to the organization's staff.

But the bad news has caught up in the past few months, as all four of its major funding sources have taken hits, leading the organization to revise its financial projections downward. It projects revenue this year to fall to $145 million, an 8 percent decline.

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[alrea]

radio version of Helen Thomas

ping

[The Worthless Miracle]

Well I agree. We’re basically letting no talent morons get fame and fortune from a public springboard. I kinda doubt Garrison Keiler would have made it if not for NPR. Juan Williams and his crusade against conservatism is on all the news channels for his “brilliant” commentary.