Audie Cornish leaving NPR

[Anonymous]

She announced on twitter today

Really going to miss hearing her on the radio (and on Pop Culture Happy Hour sometimes)

But also what the heck is going on at NPR?

Anyone who works there - can you give some insight?

[Anonymous]

Not sure what's going on, but it sounds like she's been at NPR for over 20 years. Maybe she needs a new challenge? Or maybe it's NPR? Not sure I understand Ari Shapiro's "it's a crisis" comment when AC was there for so many years. Seems like she would want to explore something new, but I could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what's going on, but it sounds like she's been at NPR for over 20 years. Maybe she needs a new challenge? Or maybe it's NPR? Not sure I understand Ari Shapiro's "it's a crisis" comment when AC was there for so many years. Seems like she would want to explore something new, but I could be wrong.

I am OP - and I don't think it's normal for someone in her sort of position to make an abrupt announcement on Twitter that she's leaving in a week. That sounds like an "I don't want to deal with this sh*t anymore" sort of move. Someone who's been there as long as she has been would usually - I think - get, like, a month's worth of goodbyes, retrospectives, best ofs, all that. This sounds like a "see ya when I see ya" sort of move - which must have been prompted by something, I think.

[Anonymous]

Why does everyone on NPR have weird names I love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what's going on, but it sounds like she's been at NPR for over 20 years. Maybe she needs a new challenge? Or maybe it's NPR? Not sure I understand Ari Shapiro's "it's a crisis" comment when AC was there for so many years. Seems like she would want to explore something new, but I could be wrong.

I am OP - and I don't think it's normal for someone in her sort of position to make an abrupt announcement on Twitter that she's leaving in a week. That sounds like an "I don't want to deal with this sh*t anymore" sort of move. Someone who's been there as long as she has been would usually - I think - get, like, a month's worth of goodbyes, retrospectives, best ofs, all that. This sounds like a "see ya when I see ya" sort of move - which must have been prompted by something, I think.

I disagree. No one announces they’re leaving a month out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She announced on twitter today

Really going to miss hearing her on the radio (and on Pop Culture Happy Hour sometimes)

But also what the heck is going on at NPR?

Anyone who works there - can you give some insight?

I hate this list! This is concerning - does anyone know what's happening?

But I do hope that these departures will open opportunities for others -

[Anonymous]

maybe journalism has been a completely sucky industry to be in since 2008, even at npr, and people who've simply tried their best to tell great stories have thrown in the towel? maybe they're tired of covering anti-vax stats for the 400th time? i blame NO ONE who leaves journalism, no matter how fancy sounding the job.

[Anonymous]

It appears that there are a TON of issues at NPR, mostly staff being concerned about the way they cover the news, especially during the Trump admin + toxic management culture. Dig into Twitter a bit - it is all out there.

[Anonymous]

With the rise of podcasting, there are also numerous other places to do good audio work, many of which can offer much bigger salaries than public radio. That hasn't always been the case.

[Anonymous]

I love her voice! Will miss her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the rise of podcasting, there are also numerous other places to do good audio work, many of which can offer much bigger salaries than public radio. That hasn't always been the case.

This. I'll be curious to hear where she goes, I expect it was for the $$$ plus an opportunity to try something new. Lots of other places are investing a lot of money in audio and have much deeper pockets than NPR. NPR has a lot of female leadership and a lot more diversity than other media options. But, it's not perfect, no place is.

[Anonymous]

Maybe so many are leaving because they know NPR is not the unslanted, middle of the road, fair reporting that it used to be. It’s basically another CNN/FOX now.

[Anonymous]

Super toxic workplace ripe with NDAs and dirty laundry. Just look at Executive and leadership turnover. Look at female minority talent turn over.

Hmmm, I wonder if minority women are grossly underpaid compared to their less experienced and bumbling white, male counterparts.

- signed fly on a wall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure what's going on, but it sounds like she's been at NPR for over 20 years. Maybe she needs a new challenge? Or maybe it's NPR? Not sure I understand Ari Shapiro's "it's a crisis" comment when AC was there for so many years. Seems like she would want to explore something new, but I could be wrong.

I am OP - and I don't think it's normal for someone in her sort of position to make an abrupt announcement on Twitter that she's leaving in a week. That sounds like an "I don't want to deal with this sh*t anymore" sort of move. Someone who's been there as long as she has been would usually - I think - get, like, a month's worth of goodbyes, retrospectives, best ofs, all that. This sounds like a "see ya when I see ya" sort of move - which must have been prompted by something, I think.

I disagree. No one announces they’re leaving a month out.

Depends on the profession. For someone that has been there as long as Cornish, if this was long-planned move, she absolutely would have. Both Diane Rhem and Kojo Nnandi had months-long sendoffs. And there's no way Shapiro posted a tweet like his, about a person he's known for 20+ years, without her permission and inside knowledge.

That, and the fact that so many other women, and women of color have left recently. Lulu Garcia Navarro has alluded to it in several tweets, including a comment on Ari's tweet today. Something is up. I don't know if it's an unwillingness to have a woman-helmed Morning Edition or ATC or something else. I get the feeling it's an issue (person) in management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Super toxic workplace ripe with NDAs and dirty laundry. Just look at Executive and leadership turnover. Look at female minority talent turn over.

Hmmm, I wonder if minority women are grossly underpaid compared to their less experienced and bumbling white, male counterparts.

- signed fly on a wall

This is OP - and ugh. Ugh.