NPR boots Morning Edition host

The St. Petersburg Times ^ | 3/24/2004 | Associated Press

[dawn53]

NEW YORK - National Public Radio has bounced Bob Edwards, host of Morning Edition since its inception in 1979, out of his job.

The radio network announced Tuesday that Edwards, 56, will become senior correspondent of NPR News at the end of April, with his reports being heard on various broadcasts.

Edwards said he was disappointed by the move, particularly that he won't be the host when the program celebrates its 25th anniversary in November.

"You have to figure it's going to happen someday and you get out before they do it," he said. "But I failed."

Edwards said he was not given a specific reason for his ouster. "It's the old "move the program in a new direction.' There was no Janet Jackson incident," he said.

Spokeswoman Laura Gross said NPR's programming and news management made the change because it is trying to refresh all the network's broadcasts.

"It's part of a natural evolution," she said. "A new host will bring new ideas and perspectives to the show. Bob's voice will still be heard; he'll still be a tremendous influence on the show. We just felt it was time for a change."

NPR's Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne will serve as interim co-hosts starting in May, until a permanent successor to Edwards is named.

Morning Edition is second to Rush Limbaugh's syndicated program as the most-listened-to national radio show.

NPR estimated Edwards has conducted 20,000 interviews during his years on the show. Edwards joined NPR in 1974, the network's third year of existence.

The network also announced that two-time Pulitzer Prize winner William K. Marimow, former editor of the Sun of Baltimore, will join NPR in a new position, managing editor for NPR News.

[Last modified March 24, 2004, 01:35:51]

[dawn53]

Anybody have any info on the new guy? Is he more conservative or more liberal?

[Gillmeister]

NPR.......any other questions?

[Joe Boucher]

Really makes me mad as hell that n.p.r. takes your and my money to push its liberal agenda. Mostly kthe gay agenda as it seems about 15 to 20 percent of the dribble it presents are on this subject.

[mylife]

Ya know..I have listened to NPR for years and disagreed with the liberal view of much of it over the years, but it seems to me there is so much Pro Gay agenda on the network now that I cannot even bear to listen.

[dawn53]

I know, we call it National Palestinian Radio around our house.

But I just wondered if they might be trying to take a slightly different, more moderate view in order to quell some of the criticism.

[AlbertWang]

I don't know what kind of bad drugs those NPR people are taking, but every last one of them sounds soooooooo serious and humor impaired. If I hear more than about 5 minutes of NPR I get all depressed and suicidal.

[Bluntpoint]

NPR types seem to love the sound of their own voices.

[JimVT]

Good news!

Now if they would dump that "Hot Air" woman in the p.m. I might start listening and CONTRIBUTING again.

And while they're at it maybe they could send David Schoebrun to the big liberal funny farm.

[Drango]

Interesting...In searching for a permanent replacement, NPR has just announced that they will considered registered Greens in addition to registered Democrats...

NPR/PBS ping thing

If you want on or off this *NPR/PBS* ping list, please FReepmail me.
AND indicate your desire to be included. You must opt in! Don't be shy!
This is a low to moderate activity list.

[dawn53]

Fox News panel always seems to feature an NPR person as their liberal participant.

I think that's sort of funny because in essence, by agreeing to be the "liberal" panel member, NPR is validating the fact that their bias is liberal.

I think Juan Williams and Mara are both NRP types. Don't know about Ceci Connoly.

[DainBramage]

Mara Liason

[mewzilla]

Gee, the CNN report I saw this AM made it sound as though it was all Edwards' idea....

[Adder]

Huh...go figger.

[johnny7]

Susan Stanberg(sp?) was the one that used to make me puke. Throw in a report by Nina Totenberg, 'Fresh Air', 'Prairie Home Companion' and you have a delightful socialist smorgasbord.

[johnb838]

Gee, and to think that years ago I thought NPR was "Fair & Balanced". I will say that I wish cable news would go to the level of depth that NPR goes to. FNC gets trapped into the "slice up the hour like a pie" mentality like all the rest.

[mewzilla]

NPR, BTW, is the same outfit that later referred to what happened in NYC on 9-11 as the World Trade Center collapse. I kid you not.

[alrea]

guarantee that the vast majority of hate mail NPR gets if from the far left, with Bob Edwards as their favorite whipping boy

Interesting that left leaners think Edwards is out because NPR is moving in a few conservatives. Either way, Edwards is a good guy and the network is loosing listeners because of blatant attempts to push agenda.

[OldSmaj]

Anybody have any info on the new guy? Is he more conservative or more liberal?

Who cares?

I quit listening to NPR several years ago, when I heard some idiot talking about a book about France he wrote named: "Me Talk Pretty One Day", or something like that.

He then went on to describe some homosexual encounter he had in France with a male nurse.

After I realized he was truly serious and I wiped my mouth after barfing, I retuned the radio to the station that carries Rush Limbaugh and the G-Man, locked it in and ripped off the knob.

And to think I actually, years ago, bought a coffee cup from NPR during a fundraiser.

Never again shall my ears be assaulted by NPR.

[New Horizon]

...'Prairie Home Companion' and you have a delightful socialist smorgasbord.

I can't listen to Garrison Keillor for more than two minutes. His nose whistles when he breathes and nodody ever told him that because of this "problem", he may want to consider holding the microphone a little farther away from his face.

It's distracting and slightly nauseating.