NPR Editor-in-Chief and acting Chief Content Officer Edith Chapin has announced plans to step away from the public radio network later this year.
The announcement of her departure comes days after Congress voted to remove more than $1 billion in federal funding designated for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which would have been sent to NPR and PBS.
In a memo to staffers, Chapin said that it was her decision to exit the outlet, and was not related to the elimination of funding. She said she told CEO Katherine Maher more than two weeks ago about her decision.
“I have had two big executive jobs for two years, and I want to take a break. I want to make sure my performance is always top-notch for the company,” Chapin said.
Edith Chapin originally joined NPR in 2012, after previously working at CNN as chief international editor. In 2023, then CEO John Lansing elevated her to interim Chief Content Officer, continuing to hold that title today. When offered the position on a full-time basis, Chapin declined, stating that someone better suited for the needs of the network should be hired.
“It’s not a good time to do it, but it’s never a good time,” Chapin told NPR’s David Folkenflik of her decision to leave. “I needed to pick a date and share my decision.”
She added that she expects to stay with the organization until either September or October.
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