Media

NPR Issues New Statement: Exec Put on ‘Leave’ & We Need Public Funding

NPR has issued a follow-up statement to its comments earlier today regarding James O‘Keefe’s undercover video. According to spokeswoman Dana Davis Rehm, the NPR executive featured in the video, Ron Schiller, has been placed on “administrative leave” despite already announcing his departure come May.

In addition to announcing Schiller’s suspension, Rehm makes clear “the comments contained in the video released today are contrary to everything we stand for, and we completely disavow the views expressed.” She also blasts the notion that NPR would be better off without federal funding.

“The assertion that NPR and public radio stations would be better off without federal funding does not reflect reality,” she says. “The elimination of federal funding would significantly damage public broadcasting as a whole.”

Those comments seem all but necessary as politicians convened today for pre-scheduled talks about defunding the public radio outlet.

“As we continue to identify ways to cut spending and save valuable resources, this disturbing video makes clear that taxpayer dollars should no longer be appropriated to NPR,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said in an e-mail to the Daily Caller. “Not only have top public broadcasting executives finally admitted that they do not need taxpayer dollars to survive, it is also clear that without federal funds, public broadcasting stations self-admittedly would become eligible for more private dollars on top of the multi-million dollar donations these organizations already receive.”

“The real crux of the video was when the guy [NPR executive Ron Schiller] admitted that they could survive and would even be better off without federal funding,” GOP Rep. Doug Lamborn told the Washington Examiner’s Byron York. “That‘s what I’m hoping happens.”

On NPR‘s own website there was confusion regarding Schiller’s status. Late this afternoon, NPR’s David Folkenflik reported Schiller’s resignation had been moved up to be “effective immediately:”

“Just last Thursday Ron Schiller announced he would be leaving NPR to take a position at the Aspen Institute in Colorado. He has been commuting from his home in Aspen, at his own expense, during his 18 months on the job. Today, his departure was made effective immediately.”

NPR blogger Mark Memmot later walked that back once Rehm issued her new statement.

Still, Memmot does offer some interesting information about why NPR may not have accepted the original $5 million donation:

NPR’s David Folkenflik, who’s finishing up a report about this for All Things Considered, reports that there were clear signs that the Muslim Education Action Center Trust was not a long-standing organization — Internet records show the center’s website was created in mid-January. The address for the organization? A UPS store.

CEO Vivian Schiller tells David that NPR became aware of those peculiarities, and that NPR was vetting the organization. And he has obtained e-mails (not from an official NPR source, but which have been verified by NPR) showing that the network last week asked the fictitious Ibrahim Kasaam for, among other things, verification that the Muslim Education Action Center was qualified as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It was not, of course.

Vivian Schiller also tells David that the men posing as representatives of the Muslim Education Action Center asked several times for someone from NPR to come to their offices so that a photograph could be taken as a donation check was handed over. That request was turned down because NPR was not close to being finished with its vetting of the organization, she says.

Rehm’s newly-released statement is included below:

The comments contained in the video released today are contrary to everything we stand for, and we completely disavow the views expressed. NPR is fair and open minded about the people we cover. Our reporting reflects those values every single day – in the civility of our programming, the range of opinions we reflect and the diversity of stories we tell.

The assertion that NPR and public radio stations would be better off without federal funding does not reflect reality. The elimination of federal funding would significantly damage public broadcasting as a whole.

Prior to the lunch meeting presented in the edited video, Ron Schiller had informed NPR that he was resigning from his position to take a new job. His resignation was announced publicly last week, and he was expected to depart in May. While we review this situation, he has been placed on administrative leave.

Comments (134)

  • kissmyazobama
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:03pm

    Yea, they got caught speaking the policies NPR executives believe in. Time to hit the road and make it or break it on your own guys….DE-FUND NPR.

    Report Post » kissmyazobama  
    • vorpal
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 9:59pm

      I concur.
      Let’s see the advertisers line up. NOT.

      Report Post » vorpal  
  • lizaz
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:00pm

    No taxpayer money for NPR. They are not “public radio”, they are socialist/communist radio and tv and I don’t want my money supporting them. That‘s why we don’t donate and never have. Taxpayers should not have to fund groups they disagree with and npr is nothing but a soros arm. Let them get private funds from people who support their communist agenda.

    Report Post »  
    • olduffer
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 2:48pm

      I’ve posted this before, and will take this opportunity to post again. The founding fathers knew and provided defenses against contributing to causes we don’t support or believe in, and wrote it into the constitution.

      Our nation’s founders, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, believed it was tyrannical to force individuals “to contribute even “three pence” for the “propagation of opinions which he disbelieves.” So they wrote in the Constitution and the Bill of rights, terms that would prohibit that kind of tyranny.

      A union, however, can not, consistent with the Constitution, collect from dissenting employees any sums for the support of ideological causes not germane to its duties as collective-bargaining agent. The National Labor Relations Association rules are as follows:
      Under the NLRA, you cannot be required to be a member of a union or pay it any monies as a condition of employment unless the collective bargaining agreement between your employer and your union contains a provision requiring all employees to either join the union or pay union fees.

      Even if there is such a provision in the agreement, the most that can be required of you is to pay the union fees (generally called an “agency fee.”) Most employees are not told by their employer and union that full union membership cannot lawfully be required. In Pattern Makers v. NLRB, 473 U.S. 95 (1985), the United States Supreme Court held that union members have the right to resign their union membership at any time.

      If you are not a member, you are still fully covered by the collective bargaining agreement that was negotiated between your employer and the union, and the union is obligated to represent you. Any benefits that are provided to you by your employer pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement (e.g., wages, seniority, vacations, pensions, health insurance) are not affected by your non-membership. (If the union offers some “members-only” benefits, you might be excluded from receiving those.)
      If you are not a member, you may not be able to participate in union elections or meetings, vote in collective bargaining ratification elections, or participate in other “internal” union activities. However, you cannot be disciplined by the union for anything you do while not a member.

      The Supreme Court, in Communication Workers v. Beck, 487 U.S. 735 (1988), a lawsuit that was supported by the Foundation, ruled that objecting nonmembers cannot be required to pay union dues. The most that nonmembers can be required to pay is an agency fee that equals their share of what the union can prove is its costs of collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment with their employer.
      Except in extraordinary cases, the union’s costs of collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment do not equal the dues amount.

      Beck makes clear that nonmembers required to pay union fees as a condition of employment have a right under the NLRA to object and obtain a reduction of their compulsory payments so that they do not include union expenses for purposes other than collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance adjustment.

      Report Post » olduffer  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:59pm

    I love NPR & while I find both their story selection & portrayals a bit left leaning, I still think NPR is a value added service which allows for a broader discussion of contemporary & news events.

    I donate & believe most listeners would donate to keep NPR on the air.

    I think defunding the Corp. for Public Broadcasting & putting those $ toward higher priority items is a good common sense idea whose time has come in this era of cost cutting.

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • psycodad36
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:29pm

      exactly,if you enjoy it you should be comfortable in supporting it,good for you,and i do also think you are correct ,those $ would go much further retiring dept,or just not being collected in the first place.

      Report Post »  
  • Ham
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:55pm

    Bye-bye National Progressive Radio.

    Report Post » Ham  
  • tlewis
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:50pm

    Anti God, Anti American, Anti America, Anti Life of the unborn, Anti Capitalism, Pro Gay Marriage, Pro Radical Islam, Pro Communist, George Soros controlled, “AOL”, calls the Tea Party racists as did NPR???

    Report Post » tom  
  • Carl1
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:44pm

    They are just trying to cover their ass. De-fund them now!!!!!! They can always get Soro’s can make up the difference.

    Report Post » Carl1 Supports Israel  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:41pm

    The spokesperson for NPR said “The assertion that NPR and public radio stations would be better off without federal funding does not reflect reality.” She has it wrong. The assertion is that the public would be better off without funding NPR and public radio stations, and that does reflect reality. This guy got in trouble not for the content of what he said but because he said it where it could be recorded and made public.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:39pm

    This is like saying to a serial killer, “We wouldn’t do what you did, but we don’t feel you should be punished for it. We……….(dramatic pause)….

    …understand…..

    BLECH!

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:39pm

    @ Bigliardi…..Yes, well i know better now…however..he did have a fun show. And besides I’m NOT a guy. (just so ya know)

    Report Post » Mainer forever  
    • Bigliardi
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 12:12pm

      Sorry Miz Mainer…..And you’re right, was a day when ol’ Garrison harkened us back to gentler times…He was sort of a liberal version of Will Rogers,entertaining and folksy and authentically American, but somewhere along the way came this great left/right schism……Anyway…..

      Report Post »  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:38pm

    NPR needs (wants) our tax dollars – but we (taxpayers) do not need or want NPR.

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
  • psycodad36
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:38pm

    Now we know why Juan Williams was fired so quickly.NPR was trying to get some muslim money,they couldn’t have Juan mess that up with his reality based fears.

    Report Post »  
  • Cherynn
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:38pm

    Lies, lies, lies, lies and lies. Defund this propaganda machine NOW.

    Report Post » Cherynn  
  • ilovetheusa1
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:31pm

    defund them right now, you spineless repubs.

    Report Post »  
  • mrmikejohnson
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:30pm

    Defuning NPR and the NEA are slam dunks in this economy. They’ve become nothing more than political propaganda outlets for the democratic party. 88% of of NPR is liberal. 18% of the American population is liberal. It sounds to me like it serves the liberal interests more than the public interests.

    Report Post »  
  • Bigliardi
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:25pm

    NPR is a useless entity….I pray that we defund those anti American bastards….The brother/sister act aka Schiller, are both communist pinkos…

    Report Post »  
  • colonial10
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:24pm

    She states that it is not in reality to not have government funding. I think she means that for NPR’s own pocket books. Government should not own anything. The good news is liberal shows like this keep us on our feet. We already can’t have Christmas, no pledge of allegiance and no prayers in school because of them, if they go underground they’ll just change their name. The bad news is that we allow them to have power over us and if they aren’t in the open we will become complacent again. Human Nature. The next time we will loose our rights to express ourselves and become their indentured servants.

    Report Post » colonial10  
  • mingfurecon
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:21pm

    It’s all starting to unravel and come apart for our dear leader and his drones. Look for a re-newed attack by soros and his minions in the coming months. The closer we get to the election it will be a no holds barred slugfest with obama trotting out the heavy muscle with voter fraud to the nth degree.

    Report Post »  
    • moreteaplease
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 10:55pm

      That’s exactly what I am expecting to happen too. The closer we get to 2012 the harder Obama will put his foot down on his agenda gas pedal.

      Report Post » moreteaplease  
  • needanotherReagan
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:21pm

    I do not want one penny of my tax dollars going to fund National Progressive Radio. Defund NPR and let George Soros take up the slack.

    Report Post »  
  • 0my3
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:20pm

    I wonder how the Aspen Institute in Colorado feels about the video and Mr.Schiller as a future employee? How are they funded? Any taxpayer monies?

    Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:19pm

    NPR is over and out. Get a job you bums!

    Report Post »  
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:16pm

    I used to be a HUGE NPR fan. The day I stopped listening was the day we went to war in Iraq. I couldn’t stand the hate!!! I so miss Garison Kealor….and Click and Clack….but ohh well.

    Report Post » Mainer forever  
    • Bigliardi
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:23pm

      Garrison Keillor…??? My God Man….!!! A lefty communist pinko if there ever was one….

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:41pm

      I’m not worried about Click and Clack. They are so good that they can get their show almost anywhere they want. They don’t need NPR.

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:07pm

      It‘s nice not to be able to know what y’all are talking about. I don’t listen to NPR on the radio, and I don’t waste my puter pixels. I listen to conservative talk radio and watch Fox News on the computer.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 8:04pm

      We used to listen to NPR on Sunday mornings on the way to church because they were broadcasting Sunday Morning Baroque, but then one of their commentators called the Tea Party members “tea baggers”, so I wrote to the local station, and the main station in D.C. and said I would never listen to them again, or support them. Now, I have a supply of classical CDs in the car for the ride to church.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • democratgirl
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 8:46am

      Taquoshi:
      Why don’t you try listening to WORSHIP music. Try preparing your heart and mind towards God on your way to church?

      Report Post » ChildOfTheKing  
  • Mainer forever
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:14pm

    Defund !!!! Save the taxpayers some $$$$

    Report Post » Mainer forever  
  • NYSTREETKID
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:13pm

    look like the cookie monster is going to need a new baker to fill his cookie jar. The cookies stop here.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:11pm

      Maybe the cookie monster will become a capitalist entrepenur and start his own cookie factory and a line of products.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • csinnm
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:39pm

      @snowleopard
      how long do you think it would take the AFL-CIO to move in to “organize” those poor cookie bakers?

      Report Post »  
  • QuantumVerp
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:10pm

    Sesame Street merchandising makes over 300 million per year.

    Bye-bye NPR!

    Enjoy your patriotic addition to help lessen the financial woes of this country.

    Report Post » QuantumVerp  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:39pm

      Funny thing is, if they go private, they’ll also have to pay taxes and make even MORE patriotic contributions! I’m all for that!

      Report Post » HappyStretchedThin  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:46pm

      And help reduce the debt by PAYING TAXES instead of SPENDING TAX DOLLARS!

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • restorehope
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 11:04pm

      It’s ironic that one of the rats jumping off the ship is actually helping to scuttle it. NPR needs to change its name because it really is no longer a “public” radio. It doesn’t speak for all of us Americans. Instead it speaks for an ideologically progressive base that appeals only to far-left wingers and repels the rest of us.

      Report Post »  
    • Wolf
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 11:37pm

      Good riddance.

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 9:02am

      The country has a 14 plus trillion doolars debt. NPR AND PBS should have been cut before we had to go 1 dollar in debt. If they want to continue operations do so as a private tax paying industry like every other radio and t/v network. Then they can spread whatever tripe they want and the tax payers wouldn’t care.

      Report Post »  
  • Wdawg
    Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:10pm

    End Social Security and Medicaid First!!!

    Report Post » Wdawg  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:11pm

      Nice for NPR to show just how far and fast the liberals will move to cover their tails with lies and the denial of truth in any and all matters when they are caught red handed with their hands in the cookie jar and live on tape.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • absolutely
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:16pm

      Wow, what a two step. Caught with their fingers in the candy bowl. I thought he was fired, oh no they never fire their people they promote them. Absolutely

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:17pm

      So how did NPR vet Sore@$$ ?

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:19pm

      The elimination of federal funding would significantly damage public broadcasting as a whole.
      ————–
      and that would be a bad thing how exactly ?

      cheezwhiz  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:20pm

      Wdawg

      End Social Security and Medicaid First!!!
      ————–
      Have Hollywierdoes fun NPR and PBS

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Gold Coin & Economic News
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:23pm

      Amazingly quick move there NPR.

      “The elimination of federal funding would significantly damage public broadcasting as a whole.”

      It’s better to receive the news through a government funded reporting instrument? And libs call Fox news biased? Go figure.

      Report Post » Gold Coin & Economic News  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:33pm

      Good ideas, products and services do not need subsidies. Let the “public” who wants it – donate out of their own pockets and STAY OUT OF MINE!!!!!

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • lookn4nrml
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:41pm

      What he also said was they would prefer getting funding from those oh so intellectual and democratic muslim terrorists…but don’t they already have Al-Jazeera-so who really needs PBS/NPR anyway? I used to like the BBC stuff but I can get that on netflix unabridged now any way=babaye!

      Report Post »  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:41pm

      Cooked, Burned, Fried, Spent, Blown, Uncovered, Revealed, Outed, Stripped, Esposed,

      Are there more words. Please feel free to join in the fun!

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • vg0va3
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:45pm

      I wonder what Juan Williams is saying tonight.

      Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:01pm

      FDA, EPA, USDA, The Fed, NPR, FBI, CIA, Planned Parenthood, Welfare, Food stamps, Social Security, Medicare and Medicade, Fannie and Freddie, Sell off the Post Office, return all Federal lands to the states, oulaw public unions,
      Bring our troops home, ley the Nations of the world fix their own damn problems and if they want our Military to help, they will pay 350% of what it costs us to do the job (yes paid nerceneries). Stop the police state enforcement and let men be free…
      Well that’s a start….

      Report Post »  
    • pajamash
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:31pm

      It would seem NPR would need to do more vetting of their employees!

      Report Post »  
    • wrs840
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 7:33pm

      @KAYDEEBEAU

      Haven’t you heard? “Coexist”, simply translated, means “Lets Share Your Wallet”.

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 8:06pm

      VG0VA3 Posted on March 8, 2011 at 6:45pm I wonder what Juan Williams is saying tonight.

      I imagine he’s down on his knees thanking God that he was not there for the crash and burn.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 8:18pm

      TAQUOSHI, that is what I was thinking. He is probably somewhere clapping and dancing a jig – you go, Juan, I am glad you are getting the last laugh!

      Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 8:32pm

      One thing at a time. It’s clear that NPR is as corrupt as ACORN was. Cut their (financial) throats and let them (figuratively) bleed out.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 8:40pm

      Elmo needs funding, or Elmo will have to work street corner with Bert and Ernie. Oscar the Grouch was seen at a freeway entrance with a “Will Grouch for Food” sign, and I still don’t think he is a homeless vet. Big Bird was sold for animal testing and the Count was turned in for the cash reward (apparently he was wanted for Blood Bank robbery) by Cookie Monster, he has a habit to support. Alas, poor snuffalupakus was killed for his Ivory by Dora the Explorer. Bob the Builder is now an organizer for the union, and with the AMTrack cuts, Thomas the Train Engine was sold for scrap.

      RIP, Public Broadcasting for Socialist and NPR. Where is Michael Moore to support this public function?

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 10:00pm

      It only takes listening to NPR for a couple of questions to figure out what they are about.
      Can’t you just hear Terry Gross-me-out asking Wm Ayars…..So..uh…what do you think was the biggest injustice to you with regards to your involvement with the Weather Underground?….I mean, how has the deamonization of you affected your life the most? Puuuuuuuuuke!!!!!!!!
      De-fund NPR now!

      Report Post »  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 10:03pm

      WTG James O’Keefe!

      Report Post »  
    • ConsiderThis
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 10:19pm

      If Congress continues funding these Progressives, might as well just give up. With all the obscene overspending that’s going on this baby should be defunded with all of about five minutes thought. This one is a no-brainer.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 10:30pm

      Yes, the Constitution allows for Freedom of the Press. But this is America, and the Press is a business. Since the Press is owned by rich businessmen of course they are going to slant the news to support positions that support their interests, such as getting tax breaks for themselves and their rich friends, while asking for concessions from teachers, cops and firefighters.

      So of course we don’t want NPR, or Public Television or any publicly funded media outlet. Those stations would not be beholden to the rich!

      Report Post » jzs  
    • Wolf
      Posted on March 8, 2011 at 11:34pm

      Why end just two programs first? Better to totally end all the welfare programs- and let’s begin with the one you love most- NPR and PBS?

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 4:39am

      “range of opinions we reflect and the diversity of stories we tell” (range of opinions) as long as Obama and the Demorats approve it……Cut their funding!

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • democratgirl
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 8:43am

      No public funding for anything.

      Report Post » ChildOfTheKing  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 9:02am

      @Dustyluv

      “FDA, EPA, USDA, The Fed, NPR, FBI, CIA, Planned Parenthood, Welfare, Food stamps, Social Security, Medicare and Medicade, Fannie and Freddie, Sell off the Post Office, return all Federal lands to the states, oulaw public unions,
      Bring our troops home, ley the Nations of the world fix their own damn problems and if they want our Military to help, they will pay 350% of what it costs us to do the job (yes paid nerceneries). Stop the police state enforcement and let men be free…
      Well that’s a start….”

      ^^^^^THIS x 1000!

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • stevepidge
      Posted on March 9, 2011 at 11:12pm

      I agree that NPR is certainly not serving the public by any stretch of the imagination. However PBS has a variety of shows such as NOVA, Antique Roadshow, Super Why and Sesame Street that are welcome non partisan entertainment in my household. I can only hope that they will be picked up by another broadcasting network.

      Report Post »  

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