That, from the new statement from NPR’s Dana Rehm, is the shoe that took all day to drop. The entire statement, which also clarifies that Schiller decided to leave before the sting occurred:
Thecomments contained in the video released today are contrary to everything westand for, and we completely disavow the views expressed. NPR is fair and openminded about the people we cover. Our reporting reflects those values everysingle day – inthe civility of our programming, the range of opinions we reflect and thediversity of stories we tell.
Theassertion that NPR and public radio stations would be better off withoutfederal funding does not reflect reality. The elimination of federal fundingwould significantly damage public broadcasting as a whole.
Priorto the lunch meeting presented in the edited video, Ron Schiller had informedNPR that he was resigning from his position to take a new job. His resignationwas announced publicly last week, and he was expected to depart in May. Whilewe review this situation, he has been placed on administrative leave.
David Folkenflik has more , including the key detail that the the “administrative leave” is, yes, confirmation that Schiller is gone. Schiller’s first day at the Aspen Institute is April 1 ; I’ve checked in with the institute just to make sure he’s still starting there.
UPDATE II: NPR has released more statements. First, Schiller walks the plank and says he resigned.
Whilethe meeting I participated in turned out to be a ruse, I made statements duringthe course of the meeting that are counter to NPR’s values and also notreflective of my own beliefs. I offer my sincere apology to those I offended. Iresigned from NPR, previously effective May 6th, to accept another job. Inan effort to put this unfortunate matter behind us, NPR and I have agreed thatmy resignation is effective today
Next, NPR CEO Vivian Schiller – no relation – tries to wrap a bow around this.
RonSchiller’s remarks are contrary to what NPR stands for and deeplydistressing to reporters, editors and others who bring fairness, civility andrespect for a wide variety of viewpoints to their work everyday
