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Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

iHouse — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:59:06 -0000

Lord knows where we'll be if we as a society continue to let newspapers, journalists and the concept of a strong, independent and professionally trained news media disappear from our midst. Scary times for those who believe in the value of a healthy democracy.
Next generation social networking

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Ben Redmond — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:00:16 -0000

Thought this article was phenomenal. I think NPR has the highest quality content and the best storytelling anywhere. I'm an NPR member using social media to encourage others to contribute to their local public radio stations. A video I created, "first charitable act" (http://ow.ly/hLaR) , is a finalist in the Converse One Star/Target Challenge.Create.Change contest. I'm trying to get as much exposure for the video and, in turn, for public radio, as possible. Check it out!

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

jaye05 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:24:48 -0000

It's called public radio because it is owned by the public. NPR does not rely on commercial support; thus the public is not required to endure wasted time listening to ads on products we don't care about. I'm sorry but your comment is naive. I suggest you do some research prior to sending comments.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

ATLPilot — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:39:15 -0000

As interesting as all the tech stuff is, I don't think that is why NPR has incredible listenership compared to other mainstream media outlets. I suspect that people are sick and tired of under-qualified reporters/guests on opinion shows, telling them what to think (as opposed to what is going on). NPR has done an amazing job of being objective and reporting the facts, which lets people draw their own conclusion about world/local events.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Joe — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:26:23 -0000

intelligent broadcasting that needs only to filter out the liberal slant in order to be accurate.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Brian Hunt — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:39:00 -0000

I'm a big fan of NPR, though I take issue with the claim from Schiller that pay-for-content is a dead end. In fact, per the previously mentioned link, NPR gets a significant portion of its funding from people like me who regularly 'contribute' -- that is, at least indirectly, paying for content -- to a local public radio station for the ability to keep NPR on the air.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Miles Thomas — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:53:02 -0000

It would be interesting to do a "redux" article, to compare and contrast NPR to BBC radio (in the UK), which is doing many of the same things--digital platforms (online streamed radio, podcast & catchup streams, DAB terrestrial which is somewhat similar to HD radio, DVB-freeview terrestrial digital & DVB-freesat satellite digital radio feeds), local stations and themed stations-9 national stations in all, very deep web presence, a commitment to speech radio (not TALK radio of uninformed opinions, but speech in terms of factual documentary, news analysis and radio drama), and a commitment to underserved populations (childrens radio and also Asian language radio). And World Service. All for free (supported by TV license fee, payment of which is not required for radio use) and programme linked publishing (magazines, books, DVDs, CD's) and rights licensing to other broadcasters.

The UK is experiencing some of the same issues as USA (curtailment of local newspapers) and there has been criticism of the BBC of "encroachment" onto services that would be commercially viable if the BBC didn't get involved, but overall a good message.

And I am just a listener not employed by the BBC, just lucky to live in the UK, and having to make do with NPR when I travel to the US

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Queenie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00:36 -0000

Will T is right... NPR is one of the last news outlets that actually offers in-depth reporting on news, not just the bleeders & scandals du jour. That alone makes it stand out from teevee "news."

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

nwuboy — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:45:30 -0000

Its sad that this article doesn't mention the fact that NPR's flagship broadcast, All Things Considered...STILL doesn't have a podcast. What's up with that? So much for "getting" the new media movement.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Jesse McFarlane — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:17:14 -0000

This is just one shining example of how important social media is in regards to empowering non-profits to fulfill their missions in a world filled with marketing noise. Great write-up.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Alan Whitney — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:48:11 -0000

npr is pretty much rocking

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Wellard — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:39:35 -0000

Users should check out http://www.npr.org/about/pr... before complaining that NPR is subsidized by the Federal Government.

I whole heartedly agree with the comments about the quality of content, but in contrast to Josh, I can take or leave the "localism" provided by local NPR affiliate stations, local news is not the problem. Media in the US is very parochial, the broader picture broadcast by NPR is in such contrast to the tedium and fluff broadcast by the local network news.

I think the social media issues discussed here are overstated, NPR strength is its content.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Erzulie la flambeau — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:55:42 -0000

journey to Beloved

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Dave Moskowitz MD FACP — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:48:41 -0000

Here's one reason why I think NPR doesn't serve people well enough. Like all media outlets in the US, they're terrified of leading with a story. For example, Judy Woodward was in St Louis a few weeks ago to plug agricultural biotech companies in St Louis. When I mentioned there were medical biotech cos. in town also, which were being ignored (http://www.hbasonline.org/e..., she did absolutely nothing--not even the most cursory fact-checking by an underling. This is not good journalism, IMHO.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Big Tuna — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:58:32 -0000

NPR owes it's "success" to the fact that it's subsidized by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!! Comparing NPR to commercial radio is like comparing the US Army to Bob's Warehouse Security Services. One takes money and the other makes money

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

anair — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:45:32 -0000

Journalists need special training so that they can spin the news in the desired direction - to "make a difference." Those writers with no training might interpret things in a different way letting too much of the truth out. For the Bible we needed Wycliffe; for news we need blogs.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

anair — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:33:03 -0000

Diversity of race doesn't matter nearly as much as diversity of ideologies and ideas. NPR lacks in the latter.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

anair — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:28:25 -0000

The problem with NPR is that it has a Liberal bias. If they really wanted to be engaging, intelligent and independent they would not be so Liberal. We get enough of that from the Mainstream Media. If they really wanted to be diverse they would have at least some conservative views. If NPR can't get past this they will eventually fail.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Persephone — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:41:01 -0000

Looking forward to reading this whole story when my conference over, but this sentence jumped out at me:
According to new CEO Vivian Schiller, that means that NPR has a culture incredibly devoted to local coverage.

What NPR is she talking about? I live in a big NPR market and listen fanatically. But the amount of original local reporting done by the TWO NPR stations is minimal and of uneven quality. If that's true in a top 5 market, I can't imagine what they're doing in small towns.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Claudio Luis Vera (@modulist) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:44:36 -0000

NPR is doing well because they've remained intelligent and interesting when everyone else is pandering. As for your arguments for social media and being local, you may be overreaching a bit.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

chris strouth — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:54:47 -0000

You couldn't be more dead on. NPR is one of the only trad companies that gets new technology and isn't fighting with it. They have an understanding of the new "localism" That the audience wants things regarding there area, and their areas perspective. As the world becomes smaller that viewpoint becomes even more critical . The other thing NPR understands is the power of personality. That the news isn't always as important who reads it.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Ed G — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:32:04 -0000

I'll repeat what was posted above by Eric:

Why does somebody need professional training to be able to report truth? There are plenty of amazingly talented writers out there with the ability to produce beautiful reports that have no training. If anything I would argue that requiring special training is the ultimate admission that you are not right for the job.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Addis R. Pérez — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:14:35 -0000

Although I am disenchanted that my favorite NPR show, the Bryant Park Project, was canceled last year, I still tune in online and listen to the podcasts, albeit not as much as I once used to. I agree with previous comments regarding the quality of the content NPR presents - it's why I stick around.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Rick Hardy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:51:29 -0000

Interesting article, Josh. I'll preface my comments by saying that I'm a supporter of my local NPR radio station (SCPR).

I agree with the comments that content is a key to this discussion. I believe NPR's content is more diverse and in-depth than other media. I like the personality of how they do news. I like the international coverage. I like that I can freely access it anytime.

But the fact that NPR is supported by government funds and fundraising is a major reason why NPR can do these things. Their business model allows them to experiment in new media. It's also a major reason why NPR listeners are so loyal. Many of them have donated to their local public radio station. That changes the entire equation. Of course, you're going to have free content on the website. Your listeners are also your donors. If you want them to donate next year, you have to cater to them. How could they charge for it when many of their listeners are have been supporting the coverage? And local coverage? As one commenter said, I believe that's being done by local public radio stations. Southern California Public Radio has expanded their news staff. I like their local coverage, both by reporters and by their talk show hosts.

I'm uncomfortable with the idea of hyperlocal information. I know it's here and will be in the future. But it's information, not news. I'll stick with Herbert Gans definition 30 years ago that news is information analyzed by journalists. And by definition, journalists are trained. They have standards and ethics by which they abide. Just pointing a camera or recording a scene doesn't make it news. Many would debate this point, but take it further with local, state and federal government. Journalists are needed to keep this democracy healthy.

Anyhow, thanks for the great post.

Re: Why NPR is the Future of Mainstream Media

Josh Catone — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:48:48 -0000

Well, on average only about ~15% of the operating revenue for public radio comes from government sources (most of that 15% from the CPB, which in many cases funds stations in markets where public radio is the only local outlet). Most public radio funding is from private sources. This is the breakdown from FY2007:

* 31% from listeners in the form of pledges, memberships, and other donations
* 20% from businesses via corporate underwriting
* 11% from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which is federally funded
* 10% from licensee support
* 9% from foundations and major gifts
* 5% from local and state governments, and
* 14% from all other sources.

http://www.npr.org/about/pr...

On the national level, over half of NPR's budget comes from member stations dues, afaik.