Key Takeaways:
- NPR anchor Ari Shapiro faced pushback over attending a corporate Pride event.
- An internal email mistakenly sent to many journalists sparked confusion.
- NPR quickly reversed its decision after public backlash.
- The incident highlights growing pressure on NPR amid funding debates.
A Dramatic Turnaround at NPR
In a surprising twist, National Public Radio (NPR) changed its stance on anchor Ari Shapiro attending a corporate LGBTQ Pride event. The decision came after an internal email caused confusion and backlash.
Shapiro, a well-known host of All Things Considered, was initially told he couldn’t attend the private event. Tony Cavin, NPR’s managing editor for standards and practices, cited ethics rules in an email to Shapiro. He wrote that NPR’s guidelines advise avoiding private corporate events.
But Shapiro pushed back. He pointed out that he had attended similar events in the past without any issues. “Every year I’ve spoken at corporate Pride events, and you’ve personally signed off on them,” Shapiro replied in an email. “I’m curious what’s changed.”
The situation became more awkward when Shapiro realized the email had been accidentally sent to many journalists in the newsroom. “This message went to pretty much everyone in the newsroom,” he noted.
A Quick Reversal
After the exchange was reported, NPR backtracked. A spokesperson said Shapiro would be allowed to attend the event after all. “This decision was made shortly after the original email thread,” the spokesperson explained.
Why This Matters
This incident comes as NPR faces growing scrutiny. The Trump administration and congressional Republicans are pushing to cut federal funding for NPR, PBS, and other public media stations. Critics argue that public broadcasters should avoid appearing biased or politically aligned.
What’s Next?
The backlash over Shapiro’s attendance highlights the challenges NPR faces in balancing its journalistic independence with political pressures. As the debate over funding continues, incidents like this could draw even more attention to the organization.
For now, Shapiro is free to attend the Pride event, but the situation raises questions about how public media navigates ethics and external criticism in a polarized environment.