Amidst a swirl of controversy, Uri Berliner, a seasoned NPR editor currently serving a five-day suspension for calling out what he perceives as liberal bias within the organization, casts doubt on the suitability of CEO Katherine Maher for her role.
Berliner thrust NPR into the spotlight recently with a scathing critique of its perceived lack of diverse viewpoints, as documented in the Free Press. His outspokenness led to a temporary suspension without pay. Critics, including Christopher Rufo of the Manhattan Institute, unearthed Maher’s past social media activity, which they interpret as evidence of a top-down liberal bias. Berliner appears to align with this sentiment.
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“We’re in search of a leader who can foster unity, embrace diverse perspectives, and grasp the true essence of America,” Berliner conveyed to NPR’s media reporter David Folkenflik. “Yet, it seems we’ve veered in the opposite direction.”
Maher, formerly CEO of Web Summit and Wikimedia Foundation, attracted attention for her public support of Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020, coupled with her frequent advocacy of far-left viewpoints and critique of Donald Trump.
In one instance, Maher acknowledged the counterproductivity of looting while empathizing with the frustrations of protestors. In another post, she minimized the significance of property damage amidst larger societal issues.
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Maher’s affinity for Biden was evident in her social media presence, including celebrating his victory with tears of relief. She also criticized media content she perceived as racially charged, notably condemning a New York Times op-ed authored by Tom Cotton.
Older posts resurfaced, highlighting Maher’s concerns about White privilege and urging White individuals to confront complicity through dialogue within their communities.
Identifying herself as a staunch progressive, Maher has not been without criticism for figures within her own political sphere. She expressed discomfort with Hillary Clinton’s use of gendered language and voiced anger during Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony against Brett Kavanaugh.
In response to scrutiny, Maher defended her past statements, asserting the right to free speech as a private citizen.
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Meanwhile, Berliner’s suspension stemmed from his critique of NPR’s coverage on various contentious topics, including Russiagate, the lab leak theory regarding COVID, Hunter Biden’s laptop scandal, and the organization’s handling of accusations of systemic racism and antisemitism.
Despite his suspension, Berliner insists that NPR harbors exceptional journalists capable of delivering unbiased reporting, which he believes would enrich the organization for its audience.