Public radio program distributor NPR says it has appointed Edith Chapin to the roles of editor-in-chief and senior vice president of news.
In those roles, Chapin will oversee editorial output across NPR brands and manage the program distributor’s global team of journalists. Chapin has been serving as NPR’s interim head of news since last November.
“Edith is a tremendous news leader: she has the news judgment to guide our storytelling, believes in the power of NPR’s mission, has worked closely with member station newsrooms, and has the global vision to bring international, national and local stories to our audiences across all platforms,” John Lansing, NPR’s CEO, said in a statement on Tuesday. “Under her leadership as interim head of News, NPR’s newsroom has excelled covering the war in Ukraine, ever-changing public health concerns, natural disasters of all kinds, and more.”
Chapin joined NPR as the head of the brand’s international news desk. Prior to being appointed as interim head of news, Chapin worked as the vice president and executive editor at large, helping NPR’s news strategy and fundraising initiatives.
“It is a privilege to work every day with superb journalists who report, tell stories and provide moments of joy that are useful and relevant to audiences navigating a complex and dynamic world,” Chapin said.
Before joining NPR, Chapin worked at CNN for more than two decades, starting first as an intern before eventually becoming vice president of the network.
At NPR, Chapin will be in charge of a global newsroom that has faced its share of challenges over the last few months, including lower revenue spurred by various macroeconomic conditions that have afflicted corporate and not-for-profit broadcasters alike.
In February, Lansing announced NPR was restructuring parts of its news business that would include laying off around 100 workers. The pink slips went primarily to production workers.
