Sensing an impending advertising Armageddon, big media is slashing accounts and employees in one fell swoop. One might expect a scenario of this magnitude with the less-personable journalism giants such as CNN and Gannett, but among the casualties of a changing medium and recessed economy is NPR (National Public Radio). The government- and private donation-funded outlet is cutting at least $10 million from the current fiscal year ending next September and imposing a near hiring freeze to avoid layoffs.
John Lansing, NPR’s CEO, broke the news to employees via memo this past week. “As we did during the pandemic, we are prioritizing our staff and not anticipating layoffs at this time,” the missive read. “For those working long and stressful hours, that is not good news. But it is a reality we can’t avoid if we are to save jobs.”
One big question for the quasi-autonomous entity: Why spend $12 million to update and renovate NPR’s New York City bureau only to slash $10 million from the budget just a couple of months later? Especially given the number of employees working from home.
NPR Is Like Most Government-Dependent Folks
Lansing insisted that the hefty renovation was desperately needed, and they funded the project by refinancing the broadcast company’s own bonds. Well, that and a $500,000 gift from a donor to make it look pretty for staff and visitors.
The company identifying as a non-profit has been criticized by conservatives and other media outlets for using taxpayer funds to lobby the government for benefits. According to Open Secrets, NPR has spent $8.2 million on lobbyists since 1998. And, like any lobbyist worth their salt, 33% of those hired to battle Congress had previously held a government job.
NPR has a history of poor money management. In 1983, after 13 years of operation, it narrowly avoided bankruptcy. Its overseer, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, stepped in and reorganized at the eleventh hour. But now the company is sounding the alarm bell again and bracing for impact. And unless the big funders of the past, such as George Soros, open their wallet a bit wider, layoffs and outright terminations could be next.
NPR would then join a growing list of media giants stomping through corporate employee rosters as Godzilla would destroy a small city.
It’s Contagious
Public broadcasting entities aren’t the only media businesses facing doom in 2023: It seems to be industry-wide for the larger conglomerates. Paramount CEO Bob Bakish also admitted things were heading south. Still, he had a plan: “We are all aware of the ongoing macroeconomic pressures that continue to affect our industry and the ad market in particular. We have always been mindful of cost management as a company, and we are now taking additional steps to improve efficiency across our organization.” It is unclear if Paramount has spent money on renovating their offices of late.
Gannett, the most potent newspaper chain in the country, whacked 3,440 employees as part of cost-cutting efforts. CNN sent pink slips to 400 unlucky staffers, including on-air personalities Chris Cillizza, Alex Field, Mary Ann Fox, Alison Kosik, and Martin Savidge. It also ended live programming for Headline News (HLN).
But Back to Public Broadcasting
CEO Lansing is proud of his shiny new upgrades in NYC, although NPR headquarters are in Washington, DC, and feels he made the right decision in spending that $12 million while cutting $10 million in staffing opportunities: “NPR is going to be in New York a long time. But updating the New York office was a critical need for NPR, absolutely.”
And that puts added responsibility, stress, and possible layoffs on the remaining loyal employees – who may all work from home and not be able to bask in the aesthetic beauty of the New York City office.