NPR Ombudsman Alicia Shepard admitted that the $1.8 million from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations may have damaged the credibility of the network at a critical time:

If you think of credibility as money in the bank, NPR’s account is healthy and robust – at least among its audience.

But the organization made a judgment last fall that taps into that credibility account. The decision was to take $1.8 million from the Open Society Foundations. It’s funded by left-leaning billionaire financier-philanthropist George Soros, who made his fortune in hedge funds and currency speculation.

The money is for a worthy purpose.

That worthy purpose is to fund NPR”s Impact of Government project for the next two years which will add public radio reporters in every state to keep tabs on state government issues, which she says are woefully under-reported by the media.

This has occurred because newspapers trimmed statehouse coverage as the recession took hold and the Internet made it easier for the public to access news.

Whether or not NPR should be the source of that coverage is the question, especially since the funding is coming from George Soros.

Shepard also found evidence that some people in the newsroom were a little uneasy after NPR accepted the grant:

Since that time, a deep current of concern has run through the newsroom about taking money from someone with a well-known, documented political agenda supporting Democrats and Democratic causes. Soros has been increasingly partisan since he announced his determination to defeat then-President George W. Bush in 2004.

“I do have problems with it precisely because he is so left-wing and were he on the other side I would still have problems with it,” said a long-time NPR producer. “I don’t have a problem with people supporting particular causes but I do have a problem when obvious partisanship spills over into your support of those causes.”

If only that feeling were more widespread at NPR.

Shepard, though, couldn’t resist taking a shot at conservatives whom she wrote have “demonized” Soros and pointed to Dan Gainor of  the Media Research Center as an example;

Gainor’s position carries the title of T. Boone Pickens Fellow, and is affiliated with the Media Research Center. Pickens is as well-known on the right as Soros on the left.

Pickens may be well-known on the right but he certainly isn’t funding conservative groups to the same degree that Soros is on the left, and the MRC doesn’t receive taxpayer support like NPR does.

If NPR is concerned about their credibility and the perception that they are a liberal, taxpayer supported network, they need to either return the money from Soros or, as Shepard said, release the names of other donors to the Impact of Government project for the sake of transparency.

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About the author

Don Irvine
Don Irvine is Chairman of Accuracy in Media. He is active on Facebook and Twitter. You can follow him @donirvine to read his latest thoughts.

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12 Comments for NPR Ombudsman Finally Questions Soros Funding

SD

“NPR Ombudsman Alicia Shepard admitted that the $1.8 million from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations may have damaged the credibility of the network at a critical time:”

You think?
Speak with almost any French Underground survivor about Soros…
Do your homework.

genomega

He assisted the Germans in the plundering of his fellow Jews lands and goods. He is a convicted felon and guilty of another 100 offenses I could list but that should be enough.

John Titmas

I used to think NPR/PBS were objective. However, with Soros on the “payroll” I don’t think I will be contributing to NPR/PBS again until funds returned to that person. I will not be listed on same account with him.

CTR

The best way to rid the country of Soros would be for the Republicans to work for an extradition treaty with France. They owe us for rescuing them in two world wars and for allowing them to return to Southeast Asia after WWII.

Jim G

Allowing them to return to southeast asia after WWII was a real bonus for us…Right?

Fina Biscotti

NPR has been twisting the news for a while….to be Far Left.

Now it appears to be associated w funding by Soros….

Imagine that…….a known currency manipulator…….now known as a news manipulator.

Fina Biscotti

Hey….maybe the money that soros is using to fund NPR…..are his ill-gotten gains from the TWO Flash Stock Market crashes. …under the Obama administration.

One flash stock market crashed was blamed on a “fat finger” pushing the buttons…..as if that should be any excuse for the same parties….having insider trading information….making billions during the Two Flash Stock market crashes.

The fat finger flash stock market crash was a test run…for the second.

Same people, same parties, same pattern of events…..!!!!

Rachel

Juan Williams found out quickly just how deeply NPR was bowing to Soros. He lasted exactly one day after NPR accepted Soros payola.

Wildbird

npr is no different then any other suppoeters of the leftists their just big time propegandists for the left

Mermaid

Let’s all contact NPR ombusdman Alicia Shepard to show our appreciation that she questions NPR funding by George Soros. Ms. Shepard is bothered about his large donation because of Soros’ leftist partisanship.
Contact her at email: NPR Contact Us Form; or NPR 635 Massachussetts Avenue NW, WDC 20001; or tel: 202-513-2073; or Fax 202-513-3329.

Mermaid

Let’s all contact NPR Ombudsman Alicia Shepard to show our appreciation for her questioning the large donation to NPR from George Soros. Ms. Shepard is concerned because of Soros’ leftist partisanship and how it may affect NPR’s image.
You can contact her at email: NPR COntact Us Form; NPR, 635 Massachussetts NW, WDC 20001; tel. 202-513-2073; Fax 202-513-3329.
It’s time we accented the positive. Brickbats flying between left and right have become tiresome and ineffective, only reinforcing the defense. Let’s find common ground and accent the positive and get America moving together again.

Media Saint

“If you think of credibility as money in the bank, NPR’s account is healthy and robust – at least among its audience.”

Which is growing smaller and smaller everyday.