NPR cuts black issues program
Jack and Jill Politics reports that NPR has axed News & Notes. Yeah, times are tough -- programming cuts are understandable. But this is a serious blow. Baratunde writes,
Yet I can't help but think that now, of all times, is not the time to cut any sort of programing that brings intelligent discourse to black issues. Couldn't they have cut that weird news quiz show, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, instead? I mean, really?
Jasmyne Cannick has contact info to write NPR and ask them to make budget cuts elsewhere.
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I'm not sure what they should cut if they have to make cuts (frankly, NPR cutting anything saddens me greatly) but I'm going to have to stick up for "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!" That show is awesome.
I agree. WWDTM is a fantastic program. Baratunde should have chosen a different show to pick on. Perhaps the Sunday Puzzle with Will Shortz or Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz would have been a better option. I like both of these shows, but could certainly live without them. N&N, on the other hand, is excellent, and Farai Chideya is a fantastic journalist who has done an amazing job with this program since its inception. I guess this shows you what NPR and its audience see as a priority, though. Apparently its not stellar journalism from an African American perspective, and that's a shame.
On NPR, shows get money by charging local stations a fee to air them. The local stations then annually collect funds from the community to support the cost of their programming. During these funding drives, they receive feedback on how many people want a show to continue by how many people donate during the show, and how many people request the show when they donate. Not enough donations means that not enough stations carry the program so not enough money comes in through fees to the local stations to support the program.
So I have to ask, did you donate to NPR this year, and if so, did you request that they keep airing this program?
I bet that answer is "no."
Exactly. If lots of people were giving money and talking about how much they love the program, you can bet it wouldn't have been axed. This decision is practical, not racist, and I don't think anyone can convince them to change the decision to something that will lose money so it's a waste to try.
Wait Wait Don't Tell Me is awesome.
News & Notes is great, but so are "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" and many other NPR programs... it's definitely a shame that NPR has to cut anything. As Anony-mouse said, this should serve as a reminder to support your local NPR station and the programs that you like.
I agree that it's awful they're cutting that show, but good god woman, Wait Wait is sacred. (Yes, I am a geek. Why do you ask?) Couldn't they have cut that sports show "Only a Game?" Really, how many people listen to NPR for the sports coverage?
(I do acknowledge that opinions on WWDTM seem to vary widely - people seem to either love it or find it insufferable.)
Don't even imply that WWDTM should be cut! Don't even think it!
In addition to programming cuts, NPR is also laying off staff. It's unfortunate to lose a show trying to reach outside of their core audience, but those are often the first things to go when times get tough. After pledging to your local station, be sure to contact your Representative and tell them to start funding NPR more. If they weren't so dependent on outside funding, they could keep on shows for the public good.
they could have cut car talk
Nooo! I love Car Talk!
they could have cut car talk
Not to support this show being cut (I'm unfamiliar with it), but the Pacifica radio network, or at least WBAI out of New York, has a tremendous amount of minority issues and civil liberties programming.
I can't remember hearing any 'specifically' feminist programs on BAI, but I do remember a whole hour about up and coming women in hip-hop once.
I get that some of the value of a program like News & Notes being on NPR is that people who might not normally switch to it might find it, but there's definitely other good radio out there.
Your point is valid. But don't touch Wait wait don't tell me! I'm a podcast addict.
They should not touch Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! After all, in these trying economic times, what do we need more than a dose of levity to keep our spirits up? That show is one of the highlights of my week.
NPR is having to make cuts because it has lost a lot of corporate sponsors and underwriters, but we all should be donating. I will contact NPR about News&Notes, Ann, thanks for the heads-up.
I know you didn't just dis Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!
I am going to have to join others in defense of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. I actually like Monday mornings because that is when I get my podcast for the week.
Speaking of, Feministing readers should check out this piece WWDTM's host, Peter Sagal, did on the "Horton Hears a Who movie."
That said, I adore News and Notes and am really sorry to hear they are canceling it.
Somehow I trust NPR to determine their programming and finance more than I do Feministing.
Personally I think they should ditch A Prairie Home Companion. That show lost whatever freshness it had years ago.
Also, please get rid of Living on Earth. Please.
If you have not donated to NPR, then you don't have any right to complain about these decisions.
They should get rid of Terry Gross.
I'm sure the choice to get rid of this particular program reflects the result of serious thought on how it will impact them financially. It's not like they were thinking "Hey, screw blacks!" but more like "Well we're going to take some shit from reactionaries who feel that the importance of their particular niche is more important that our funding crisis but it's a matter of sink or swim here."
Yes! Cut Prarie Home Companion, Car Talk, and the worst one of all - What Do Ya Know (I think that's what it's called).
In my area it was replaced by The Story, which isn't terrible and has seemed to focus on HIV/AIDS among other things, but it can not compare to News & Notes.
And yes, I donated to NPR.
Logrus, did you actually say that they should CUT Terry Gross? How can you say that? I'm a little baffled right now.
Also, WWDTM IS awesome.
Next. someone's gonna suggest cutting This American Life.
*GASP*
If they're gonna cut shows, why not boring ones? Like...The billions of talk shows about taxes? God, those are boring. And the people that call in are always awkward and/or drunk.
Logrus, did you actually say that they should CUT Terry Gross? How can you say that? I'm a little baffled right now.
Also, WWDTM IS awesome.
Next. someone's gonna suggest cutting This American Life.
*GASP*
If they're gonna cut shows, why not boring ones? Like...The billions of talk shows about taxes? God, those are boring. And the people that call in are always awkward and/or drunk.
APHC and TAL are safe from NPR troubles as NPR is not involved with those programs.
Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me kicks ass. So does A Prarie Home Companion. Maybe I just get such a kick out of it because I am from Minnesota. Car Talk is awsome too. I say that part of mid-morning could be cut out. It gets a little repetitive.
They cut News and Notes and Day to Day because they were the shows that came from the west coast branch. It had nothing to do with the content of the shows. The most efficient way to cut costs was simply to get rid of pacific national branch. Its just rotten luck these shows are the ones out west. If you like NPR and shows focused around minority issues check out Tell Me More.