NPR CEO Vivian Schiller Resigns

After a video emerged courtesy of conservative prankster James O’Keefe where, posing as representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood, he coaxed recently departed NPR fundraising executive Ron Schiller into trash talking the Tea Party (“racist people”), Republicans, and Juan Williams, NPR President and CEO Vivian Schiller (no relation) has resigned, NPR announced Wednesday. Although Vivian Schiller condemned Ron Schiller’s comments, this is the second gaffe under her leadership following the dismissal of NPR political analyst Juan Williams, for which Schiller came under harsh criticism. NPR’s David Folkenflik told NPR’s Morning Edition after the news broke: “I’m told by sources that she was forced out.” Joyce Slocum, SVP of legal affairs and general counsel for NPR, has been appointed to the position of interim CEO, according to a statement from NPR Board of Directors Chairman Dave Edwards.