Uri Berliner, an NPR editor who accused the broadcaster of liberal bias in an online essay, has resigned from the nonprofit. In his resignation post, Mr. Berliner cited criticism from the network’s chief executive, Katherine Maher, as the reason for his departure. He expressed his love for NPR and respect for his colleagues, but stated that he could not work in a newsroom where he felt disparaged by the new CEO.
Mr. Berliner’s essay prompted significant backlash within NPR, with many employees distancing themselves from him and denouncing his views. The network’s top editor, Edith Chapin, criticized the essay, while others, such as “Morning Edition” host Steve Inskeep, felt that Mr. Berliner failed to engage with opposing viewpoints. Despite this, some former NPR employees, such as Jeffrey A. Dvorkin and Chuck Holmes, defended Mr. Berliner’s essay as brave and not entirely unfounded.
Conservative critics, including activist Christopher Rufo, used Mr. Berliner’s essay to further their claims of bias within NPR’s journalism and leadership. They resurfaced social media posts from Ms. Maher that were critical of President Trump and embraced progressive causes. NPR clarified that these posts were made before Ms. Maher became the chief executive and that she was not working in a news capacity at the time.
Before his resignation, Mr. Berliner was on a five-day suspension from NPR for violating company policy regarding outside work without permission. The controversy surrounding his essay, along with the subsequent backlash and politicization by conservative activists, ultimately led to his decision to resign from the organization. Despite the differing reactions to his essay within NPR and from external critics, Mr. Berliner’s departure highlights the challenges of navigating media bias and political pressure within the journalism industry.
In his resignation letter, Mr. Berliner reiterated his love for NPR as a “great American institution” and his desire for the organization to thrive and continue producing important journalism. The internal turmoil and external scrutiny resulting from his essay demonstrate the complex nature of journalistic integrity and the need for media organizations to navigate ideological divisions while upholding the principles of balanced and accurate reporting. Mr. Berliner’s resignation marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over media bias and the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity in a politically charged environment.
