In the Middle of criticism and controversy, NPR’s new chief, Katherine Maher, has come under scrutiny for her past political donations, including a $500 contribution to Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight PAC and support for other Democratic candidates, according to Federal Elections Commission records.
Maher’s donations have sparked discussion, particularly in light of her recent appointment as NPR’s head, as she faces backlash for previous social media posts critical of former President Donald J. Trump and her alignment with liberal causes.
Stacey Abrams, the founder of Fair Fight PAC in 2018 following her gubernatorial defeat in Georgia, aims to advocate for fair elections both in Georgia and nationwide.
NPR chief Katherine Maher (Credits: NPR)
The recent uproar at NPR stemmed from a senior editor’s essay last week, accusing the broadcaster’s leadership of allowing liberal bias to influence its coverage, potentially undermining trust with its audience. Uri Berliner, the essay’s author, announced his resignation on Wednesday, citing criticism from Maher.
Maher’s past comments and donations, including her 2020 contribution to Fair Fight PAC, have drawn scrutiny from various news outlets, with some highlighting the controversies surrounding Abrams’ actions after the gubernatorial race.
Katherine Maher (Credits: Fox News)
NPR spokeswoman Isabel Lara defended Maher, stating that her donations were made before she assumed her role in journalism and were within her rights as an American citizen to express herself. Lara emphasized Maher’s commitment to NPR’s code of ethics and the independence of its newsroom in her current capacity.
The criticism surrounding Maher’s past actions underscores the challenges of traversing political affiliations and maintaining journalistic integrity in today’s media landscape.
