WAMC Media Alert

ALBANY, NY (03/09/2011)(readMedia)-- Former National Public Radio fundraising executive Ron Shiller recently resigned after the release of a controversial video featuring him and another NPR staffer disparaging the Tea Party as racist and commenting that NPR would be better without federal funding. Asked why that might be so, Schiller said that the loss of federal money would increase NPR's independence and end confusion among other donors about how much Uncle Sam supports public radio. However, he cautioned that without Washington's cash a number of rural stations would "go dark."

On the heels of this controversy and other major issues surrounding NPR since her arrival in 2009, CEO, Vivian Shiller also resigned.

Alan Chartock, President and CEO of member station WAMC / Northeast Public Radio, a 23 station network, is available for comment and conversation regarding this issue. Alan can be reached at: 518.465.5233 x150 or email at alan@wamc.org.

Follow Alan on his blog at www.wamcradio.org / facebook.com/alanchartockwamc / twitter.com/alanchartock

Member-supported WAMC Northeast Public Radio broadcasts news, informational and cultural programming to listeners in portions of seven northeastern states. WAMC is an award winning producer of regionally based programming and an affiliate of National Public Radio, American Public Media, and Public Radio International.

WAMC-FM 90.3 FM, Albany; WAMC, 1400 AM, Albany; WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga; WRUN, 90.3 FM, Remsen-Utica; WAMQ 105.1 FM, Great Barrington, MA; WWES 88.9 FM, Mt. Kisco; 90.1 WANZ Stamford, NY,93.1 FM, Troy; 99.3 FM, Oneonta; 97.1 FM, Hudson; 107.1 FM, Warwick; 107.7 FM, Newburgh; 103.9 FM, Beacon; 96.5 FM, Ellenville; 106.9, Middletown; 102.1, Highland, NY and 90.9 FM, Milford, PA.; 97.3 FM, Cooperstown and on-line at www.wamc.org.