New Year, New NPR?
Some journalistic musings from NPR on starting off the new year right, plus journalists of color leaving NPR in droves.
We’re nine days into 2022, so I think I’ve missed the boat on wishing you a happy new year, but I can wish you a happy first NPR Fan Girl newsletter of the year 😊 A new year brings the promise of new beginnings, and there are plenty of new beginnings to be had in the NPR-sphere, starting with Life Kit’s 22 Tips for 2022.
Throughout January, Life Kit will be airing episodes on various topics that will make you feel “refreshed, motivated, and well cared for” throughout the year. I’m drawn to the episodes focused on self-care and self-love, but the team covers other essential topics, from money management to tips for reducing your red meat consumption. I hope Life Kit’s 22 tips help your best self come to fruition this year.
Outside of series like the one described above, some other new things at NPR aren’t as rosy. On Tuesday, Audie Cornish, longtime co-host of All Things Considered and Consider This, revealed that she would be leaving NPR. Her last day was Friday, and her fellow hosts made a beautiful tribute to her.
Aside from her high-profile role and long tenure at NPR, what makes Audie’s departure significant? Unfortunately, Audie has joined a group of esteemed journalists of color who have left NPR within the last few months, including Lulu Garcia-Navarro of Weekend Edition Sunday, Shereen Marisol Meraji of Code Switch, and Noel King of Up First / Morning Edition. NPR staffers are alarmed by these departures, evidenced by tweets from Ari Shapiro of All Things Considered and Sam Sanders of It’s Been a Minute.
While NPR has made strides to diversify its newsrooms, whispers from inside indicate that POC at NPR experience pay disparities and feel like their voices aren’t heard. While Audie expressed that this was not her experience and left NPR on good terms, she couldn’t speak for all POC, nor should she (in her own words). While I am forever an NPR fangirl, I want to see these issues addressed and that executives are held to account for not only making NPR diverse but inclusive and equitable, too.
More New Things and Good Listens from NPR
Fresh Air Remembers Joan Didion and Betty White (47 minutes)
NPR introduces The Limits with Jay Williams
Where Would You Like Donations to Go This Year?
I have several ideas for recipients of NPR Fan Girl’s monthly donations but would love to hear from subscribers about nonprofit and local journalism outlets that mean a lot to you. Feel free to share in the comments!