Undercurrents Ashley Rindsberg: Congress GRILLS NPR's Katherine Maher
Mar 27, 2025
Ashley Rindsberg, a senior editor at Pirate Wires and media bias expert, joins the discussion to dissect NPR CEO Katherine Maher's tense congressional hearing. Rindsberg highlights the accusations of left-leaning bias against NPR and the scrutiny over its journalistic integrity. They delve into the implications of political influence on media organizations, the shifting ideological landscape within NPR, and the challenges of maintaining credibility amidst growing criticism. The conversation also touches on the broader issues of accountability in public media.
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Berliner's Whistleblower Account
- Yuri Berliner, a former NPR editor, exposed bias at NPR in a Free Press essay.
- Katherine Maher publicly criticized Berliner's words but now claims she wished she had spoken with him.
Maher's Testimony Style
- Katherine Maher's congressional testimony exemplified typical "Maher speak," hitting all the right talking points.
- However, this polished approach now feels disingenuous to many, especially given challenges from figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Maher's Wikipedia Legacy
- Katherine Maher spearheaded Wikipedia's shift from an encyclopedia to a movement focused on "knowledge equity."
- This DEI-driven approach prioritized funding far-left NGOs over addressing Wikipedia's real challenges.