National Public Radio (NPR) is set to eliminate numerous positions within its newsroom as it navigates a new era devoid of federal funding, according to the network’s CEO.
Katherine Maher, the CEO, disclosed this development in a memo on Monday, over a year after she assured Congress of NPR’s unbiased reporting.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which previously channeled federal funds from Congress to NPR, ceased operations in January, marking a significant shift in NPR’s financial landscape.
Maher explained that the restructuring is crucial due to an anticipated $15 million shortfall in station fee revenue this year.
“We’ve taken every measure to maintain the foundational strengths and unique qualities that set NPR apart,” Maher stated. “Deciding to reduce staff is always challenging, especially when it impacts the newsroom.”
While the exact number of job reductions was not disclosed, NPR has announced that buyouts are being offered to approximately 300 employees.
Layoffs would be needed if less than 30 staffers accept, they also said. The terms of the pay packages were not disclosed.
The development is the latest blow for NPR. One of the network’s hosts, Ramtin Arablouei, recently quit after an internal probe into his on-set behavior was launched earlier this year.
Katherine Maher, 43, made the announcement in a Monday memo to staff, saying cuts were necessary due a lack of federal funding
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) – the private broadcasting body previously responsible for funneling federal funds from Congress to NPR – was shut down in January
Arablouei, 43, allegedly flirted with guests and a contract employee of his show, the acclaimed Throughline podcast, according to a New York Times report published last week.
An NPR spokeswoman told the paper: ‘We take allegations regarding workplace conduct seriously and are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and professional environment for all employees.’
She added ‘any concerns raised through appropriate channels are reviewed carefully.’ The probe was called in March, before Arablouei’s abrupt, unannounced exit in April.
Neither he nor NPR had addressed his absence until the Times report. His podcast did not air for weeks.
The Daily Mail approached both Arablouei and NPR for comment.
The deadline for remaining staffers to take the buyouts before layoffs could commence is this coming Tuesday, NPR officials said.
Staffers within NPR’s news programs, unlike those in the newsroom, will not be among the 300 offered buyouts, they said. That includes the station’s hosts.
Meanwhile, the station received a pair of private gifts amounting to $113million just this past April.
Maher wrote that restructuring was now necessary more than a year after being grilled about NPR’s alleged left-wing bias during a March 2025 hearing on Capitol Hill. Congress voted to pull the station’s funding months later
The development is the latest bad news for NPR. A host, Ramtin Arablouei, recently left the station after an internal probe into his on-set behavior
Most of that money, however, will be ‘dedicated to technological innovation,’ an NPR report that laid out Maher’s Monday memo to staff said.
This all comes after Congress’ successful vote last summer to claw back an eye-watering $1.1billion it already had committed to public media via a bill titled ‘No Partisan Radio and Partisan Broadcasting Services Act.’
Months before, representatives grilled Maher about the disparity in political affiliations at NPR after filings revealed not a single soul at the station was a registered Republican. Eighty-seven were Democrats.
‘Congressman – I do not believe we are politically biased. No, we are a nonpartisan organization,’ Maher said in March 2025. She conceded the numbers were startling ‘if true.’
Congress created the CPB in 1967. The now-defunct firm used to transfer taxpayer money to the stations and other public media outlets with the intent to shield the entity from political interference.
Maher argued the decision to do away with federal funding for the station was politically motivated. She said rural communities that rely on local affiliates saw most of the federal money.
Federal funding, meanwhile, only accounted for about 1 percent of NPR’s annual revenue.
