NPR veteran Uri Berliner says network has 'lost its way' on journalism

"It's frictionless — one story after another about instances of supposed racism, transphobia, signs of the climate apocalypse, Israel doing something bad, and the dire threat of Republican policies," Berliner stated, adding that these topics all appear framed in a similar way.

He took particular issue with NPR's guidance advising staffers to avoid the term "biological sex" when covering transgender issues, calling it an example of how a progressive "mindset animates bizarre stories."

Berliner also criticized the network's coverage of the Russia investigation into former President Donald Trump, arguing NPR failed to acknowledge its failure when that narrative "fell apart." He accused NPR of perpetuating a culture that "shatters trust and engenders cynicism about the media."

The veteran editor further faulted NPR for its coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it ignored the "lab leak theory" on the virus's origins. He argued the network's failure to consider anything outside the "prevailing narrative" was another sign it had strayed from evenhandedness.

In his Free Press piece titled "I've Been at NPR for 25 Years. Here's How We Lost America's Trust," Berliner expressed hope the public broadcaster could "face up to where we've gone wrong," calling on NPR to lead other outlets in self-reflection given its public mandate.