Former NPR CEO John Lansing Passes Away at 67

Former chief executive of NPR, John Lansing, has sadly passed away at the age of 67. He died at his home in Wisconsin, six months after stepping down from his role at the network. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. Lansing had a long and celebrated career in broadcasting and cable television before joining NPR. During his time at the network, he navigated numerous challenges, including a global pandemic and a financial crisis.

Lansing's successor, NPR CEO Katherine Maher, praised his leadership and impact on the organization. She expressed that he understood the importance of NPR's mission to inform the American public and successfully steered the network through unprecedented times. Despite facing layoffs and buyouts of 10% of the staff, Lansing received praise from the newsroom union's chief for his constant communication, conciliatory approach to negotiations, and commitment to diversity.

Starting his career in journalism at a young age, Lansing quickly rose through the ranks in local TV newsrooms before eventually becoming the president of Scripps Networks, which owned stations like the Food Network and HGTV. When he joined NPR in 2019, Lansing prioritized diversifying the staff, programming, and audiences to reflect the diversity of American life. He advocated for equal pay for female hosts and worked to negotiate contracts for hosts of color.

Lansing was not afraid to defend NPR against false accusations or attacks on its credibility. He publicly stood by a host who was accused of lying by the U.S. Secretary of State and withdrew NPR's formal feeds on a social media platform after it labeled the network as "state-affiliated media." Lansing believed in protecting NPR's editorial independence and ensuring the production of quality journalism.

Throughout his tenure, Lansing faced numerous challenges, including the unforeseen impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, he led NPR in adapting quickly to remote broadcasting, ensuring that hosts could operate from home studios within a week. He also emphasized the importance of all-staff meetings to maintain a cohesive culture during challenging times.

Lansing's leadership during difficult years was acknowledged by NPR's chief communications officer, Isabel Lara, who praised his love for journalism and dedication to defending editorial independence. While the network faced financial uncertainties, Lansing's handling of the situation was deemed relatively humane, with constant updates and voluntary buyouts.

Lansing's legacy includes his push for greater integration between NPR and its member stations, creating what he called the NPR Network. His impact on the organization's workforce and leadership team resulted in increased diversity. However, there is still work to be done to diversify the network's audience.

Colleagues and friends fondly remembered Lansing as someone who led a life of integrity and love. His family, including his wife Jean and their children, Alex, Jackson, Nicholas, and Jennifer, mourn his loss.

The news of Lansing's passing comes as a shock to the media industry, leaving behind a void in the world of journalism. As NPR moves forward, the network will honor Lansing's contributions and continue to inform and engage the American public.