Friday, March 26. 2004
I'm still think it's fishy
Bob Edwards' exit from Morning Edition still has me puzzled. His statement on the NPR site seems something less than enthusiastic. He never says "I wanted new opportunities" or "I needed to make a change"....instead he says "this transition will be difficult for me" and "I hope you will continue to listen and support your public radio station".I sent an email to NPR, expressing concern that his departure was forced on him. I just received a response from Bob Edwards....but it's very much in the same vein. Since it's obviously a open letter sent to everyone who emailed in, I reproduce it below. He doesn't say "I am very excited to me moving into a new role". He says "I am delighted that NPR and I have agreed on all of the details". Damned with faint praise, I say.
Also, a new letter has appeared on the NPR site from Jay Kernis, Sr. VP for programming. He praises Bob, but then goes on to say "Four years ago, in response to the sudden intensification of news and the swifter pace of great and often troubling events, I initiated a wide-ranging assessment of our core programs to insure that they will meet the challenges of the new era." He then says "Critical to these programs' development has been the arrival of hosts with wide, fresh experience as NPR producers and correspondents in the field."
He then points out that Bob will join the likes of Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, Noah Adams, etc. It's what he doesn't say that sticks out.
1) Bob Edwards isn't a young reported who has reported from the field
2) Bob Edwards, unlike the other "Senior Correspondents", doesn't seem to have requested this change.
I am afraid that NPR is reacting to CNN and FNC and the other screaming-headline news organizations and is trying to get "more exciting". But there's a reason NPR listeners stay where they are...We don't want screaming headlines.
I don't think NPR is going to go all the way, but I'm worried about where Jay Kernis is taking this. And I'm going to miss Bob Edwards telling me the time.
...Apparently, I'm not the only one.
And the WashPost
And a website called TVBarn
And a thread on MetaFilter
And on Plastic
I couldn't get him saying the time, but this is almost as good
Email I received in response to my email:
I am delighted that NPR and I have agreed on all of the details of my new duties as a senior correspondent. My new role will allow me to continue serving NPR listeners and will include profiling interesting and noteworthy people from all walks of life.
I plan to be here at NPR for the long haul. I am leaving a post that I have loved and have given my heart to. I now look forward to the new challenges ahead of me and continuing to be a significant part of NPR and the amazing program lineup.
Morning Edition will continue to be my first source for news. I encourage all of its listeners to stay with the program. It will continue to bring them the most in-depth and thoughtful journalism in broadcasting. I hope you continue to listen and support your public radio station.
I am delighted that NPR and I have agreed on all of the details of my new duties as a senior correspondent. My new role will allow me to continue serving NPR listeners and will include profiling interesting and noteworthy people from all walks of life.
I plan to be here at NPR for the long haul. I am leaving a post that I have loved and have given my heart to. I now look forward to the new challenges ahead of me and continuing to be a significant part of NPR and the amazing program lineup.
Morning Edition will continue to be my first source for news. I encourage all of its listeners to stay with the program. It will continue to bring them the most in-depth and thoughtful journalism in broadcasting. I hope you continue to listen and support your public radio station.
Ok, I know, I go on about this a lot. And maybe I shouldn't. But the whole thing is d*mned annoying, and I'm still fired up about it. Thoughts on how this will resolve, and what needs to be done.
Tracked: Apr 24, 17:52