NPR’s top editor Edith Chapin resigns days after Congress yanks federal funding

NPR’s top editor and acting chief content officer is leaving the organization later this year — just days after Congress axed its federal funding.

Edith Chapin told staffers Tuesday that she is stepping down and that she gave her notice to NPR chief executive officer Katherine Maher two weeks ago, according to a report from NPR.

The move comes at a difficult time for public broadcasters like PBS and NPR — home to flagship shows “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”

Last week, Congress slashed all $500 million in annual federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which backs NPR and PBS.

NPR receives about 1% of its funds from federal sources annually, and about 3% indirectly from stations, the company has reported.

The bulk of NPR’s funding comes from member station fees, corporate sponsorships and individual donations, but the cut in funding could have a major impact on its member stations.

“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 in an interview with NPR.

She said she expects to stay at the company until September or October.

In a note to staffers on Tuesday, Maher thanked Chapin for her work.

“Edith has been an indispensable partner during my first year at NPR, a steady leader for a large part of this organization, and a fantastic collaborator as a member of the executive team,” she wrote.

The CEO didn’t provide any details about transition planning and interim leadership yet.

Chapin’s departure means Maher will need to fill two top roles at the company. Chapin oversaw NPR’s news report, as well as its podcasting business.

The veteran journalist joined NPR from CNN in 2012 as chief international editor and has held different roles during her time there, including senior vice president of news and editor in chief.

In 2023, she became NPR’s top editor and added the role of interim chief content officer a few months later.

Around that time, NPR had been gripped by budget cuts and laid off 10% of its staff and halted the production of several podcasts.

A year later, one of its senior editors, Uri Berliner, penned an essay for the Free Press that accused NPR of having liberal bias.

Chapin sent a memo to staff shortly after, defending the “exceptional work” of NPR journalists as the company took steps to increase editor scrutiny on its stories. Berliner, who had been suspended without pay, resigned soon after.

The House of Representatives’ vote to claw back federal funding last week has shaken up staffers at NPR. Maher spoke to employees last week, telling staffers that the company will face “a tremendous amount of change.”

The legislation will head to President Trump’s desk for his signature.