[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 49 (Thursday, April 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 BOB EDWARDS AND NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, the management of National Public 
Radio has announced that Bob Edwards, the host of ``Morning Edition'' 
for a quarter century, will be removed from the show at the end of this 
month. NPR executive vice president Ken Stern explained that getting 
rid of Edwards was part of ``a natural evolution.'' He says that it was 
``a programming decision about the right sound.''
  ``Natural evolution?'' The ``right sound?'' I have no idea what these 
words mean. In fact, I have yet to talk to anyone who knows what those 
words mean.
  If NPR's management wants to remove a star broadcaster, enormously 
popular all across America, you would think they would offer a clear, 
coherent explanation. But, no, the best we are offered is that they 
want a different ``sound.''
  Well, this is not very sound on the part of NPR management. Think 
about it: Bob Edwards has been the host of ``Morning Edition'' for 25 
years. He has won every radio broadcasting award imaginable, including 
the 1999 Peabody Award. He has built ``Morning Edition'' into the No. 1 
morning show on radio in the United States, with almost 13 million 
loyal listeners. He has played a major role in doubling NPR's audience 
over the last 10 years.
  Now, I didn't go to Harvard Business School. I don't have the 
business and management credentials of the top executives at NPR. But I 
have enough sense to heed the oldest and wisest rule of management: If 
it ain't broke, don't fix it.
  If you are fortunate to have the best in the business, a broadcaster 
who is the heart and soul of the No. 1 morning show on radio, then, for 
heaven's sake, you don't remove him. You don't dump him. You raise his 
pay.
  Characteristically, Bob Edwards was gracious and restrained. He said, 
``I would love to have stayed with `Morning Edition.' But it is not my 
candy store.''
  No, ``Morning Edition'' is not Bob Edwards' candy store. Nor is 
National Public Radio the candy store of Mr. Stern, Jay Kernis, Kevin 
klose, and the other NPR executives apparently responsible for this 
decision.
  I would remind them that NPR's middle name is ``Public.'' National 
Public Radio and its affiliate stations depend on taxpayer dollars and 
contributions from ordinary Americans. NPR depends on the public's 
support. And I have yet to talk to one person, one member of Congress, 
one listerner of public radio who supports this decision.
  Americans are speaking up and expressing their unhappiness. NPR has 
been deluged with telephone calls and e-mails. And I certainly 
encourage people to call their local NPR station or go to the NPR 
website at www.npr.org, where you can register your dissatisfaction. 
Urge NPR's executives to reconsider this unwise decision. Urge them to 
listen to their listeners.
  Let me be clear, I do not advocate or support any kind of boycott of 
NPR. It would be a misguided and counterproductive for people to 
withhold contributions to their local NPR station. After all, National 
Public Radio is a national treasure. It is the gold standard of radio 
news and journalism. And we should do nothing that undermines it.
  But we have a right to speak up. And we need to speak up. So by all 
means, send an e-mail to NPR. The address of the ombudsman at NPR is 
simple enough: [email protected]. In addition, call your local NPR 
affiliate. Urge them to request NPR to reconsider its decision to 
remove Bob Edwards from ``Morning Edition.'' And if NPR digs in its 
heels, urge your local affiliate to discontinue ``Morning Edition'' and 
find alternative programming for the morning time slot.
  Obviously, I am personally a big fan of Bob Edwards. I listen to him 
virtually every morning, and have for as long as I can remember. He is 
a straight-shooter, smart, erudite, witty, and calm. He doesn't shout 
or rant. In other words, he adds class to radio news reporting and 
interviews.
  So I urge executives at National Public Radio to reconsider their 
decision to remove Bob Edwards from ``Morning Edition.'' And I urge 
Americans who share my respect for Bob Edwards to make their voices 
heard.

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