NPR, or National Public Radio, provides news and cultural programming to hundreds of local stations nationwide. NPR’s flagship shows are All Things Considered in the morning drive time newscast format and Morning Edition in the evening news program format.
NPR is funded through fees collected from member stations, corporate sponsors, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Ad Fontes Media rates NPR as Middle of the Road when it comes to bias and Reliable when it comes to analysis/fact reporting.
What is NPR?
NPR delivers news, talk, and cultural programming to over 540 member stations and their listeners across the United States. Their popular drive-time news broadcasts, Morning Edition and All Things Considered, are among the most beloved in radio today; other programs distributed include Fresh Air’s interview format, current affairs quiz Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!; music series Piano Jazz among many more.
NPR was established in 1970 and began broadcasting its inaugural program live coverage of Senate hearings regarding the Vietnam War, in April 1971. NPR is funded through membership fees, corporate sponsors, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants.
NPR has come under scrutiny for its liberal leanings and is often accused of avoiding stories that might embarrass large private donors. Furthermore, some conservative critics have accused NPR of promoting anti-Israel perspectives.
NPR News
NPR One provides an on-demand stream of news and stories from your local public radio station, featuring breaking news, investigative journalism, and more. Customize your news source by following your favorite podcasts and receiving new episode alerts.
NPR was first created as the National Public Radio Network after Congress passed the 1967 Public Broadcasting Act to establish the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), later merging with the Association of Public Radio Stations in 1977 and debuting All Things Considered and Morning Edition news programs respectively in 1971 and 1979.
NPR Presents brings live and virtual events nationwide that provide entertainment and insight, from music and culture to conversations on today’s most pressing issues. NPR presents showcases some of its best programming from its diverse portfolio.
NPR Podcasts
NPR podcasts cover many topics, from interviews and news updates to music performances and musical selections. Download episodes to listen on your own or subscribe for automatic delivery of new episodes.
NPR podcast series include Morning Edition and All Things Considered, Fresh Air and Talk of the Nation interviews, current affairs quiz shows Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! and The Puzzler and popular entertainment and cultural programs such as Piano Jazz and A Prairie Home Companion.
If your students want to create their podcasts, NPR Training has helpful resources, including a guide for recording high-quality audio with smartphones. Another valuable tool from YR Media includes this checklist of essential sound effects to collect when planning their podcast.
NPR Shop
NPR is allowing listeners to show their support by buying merchandise at its online shop, just as NPR staffers do every year – only this time, it serves as a preview for its first full-time store set to open next month at 1111 North Capitol Street NE in Washington, DC.
NPR Shop’s loyalty program benefits for consumers who sign up with its email newsletter include discounts of either 10-20 percent off purchases and early access to sales and promotions, early bird special offers, referral bonuses when friends or family refer them, as well as percentage or dollar-off discounts on your orders. Signing up could earn you some great perks!
About NPR
NPR provides news and cultural programming to public radio stations nationwide through Morning Edition and All Things Considered and hourly newscasts throughout the day.
NPR was initially established to serve “curious, complex individuals.” This vision has guided its existence from its modest beginnings to today’s impressive headquarters on North Capitol Street.
But NPR isn’t without controversy; some critics charge it caters to corporate donors and avoids controversial topics, while the network has also faced accusations for failing to reach minority audiences; that may explain why Tavis Smiley left in 2004, with his show now distributed by Pacifica Radio.
