NPR names Farai Chideya as host of 'News & Notes' to replace Ed Gordon

(September 12, 2006) NPR is initiating a series of changes to the daily news and information program “News & Notes” aimed at incorporating the online experience into the radio show, adding audience participation in shaping the program and creating a community uniting the radio listeners and Internet users.

As part of these plans, “News & Notes” host-correspondent Farai Chideya has been named host, replacing Ed Gordon. Chideya is a well-known broadcast and digital media journalist, longtime public radio show host and founder of www.PopandPolitics.com an online journal for young Americans which attracts more than 50,000 visitors monthly.

Additionally, Nicole Childers has been named Executive Producer of the program. Childers joined “News & Notes” in July 2005 as Senior Supervising Producer and, most recently, has served as Acting Executive Producer. The Emmy-winning journalist came to NPR from ABC News, where she had been a producer.

The new elements of “News & Notes” will reflect the mounting importance of the Internet in how the public seeks news and information, Chideya’s proven experience in unifying traditional and new media and NPR’s current efforts to extend its presence in digital platforms. The show will feature significant contributions from its online community to identify issues of interest, spot trends, share discoveries, participate in shaping the program and join in “News & Notes”’ dialogue with newsmakers.

The show’s existing roster of respected experts will contribute regular segments on a wide range of issues relevant to the African American audience. The audience will also be invited to post personal essays on the www.NPR.org website, with some essayists featured on the broadcast.

The online community will also be utilized to help introduce the public to a daily show currently in development with award-winning broadcast journalist Michel Martin. The upcoming program will join “News & Notes” as part of NPR’s broader commitment to diversity in public radio programming. Martin will contribute to the site in a variety of ways, including writing a blog about her show’s progress, to be titled “Under Construction.” Both “News & Notes” and Martin’s show are produced by NPR in association with the African American Public Radio Consortium, representing 22 independent public radio stations that serve predominantly black communities.

“‘News & Notes’ is a vital part of NPR’s public service mission,” said Jay Kernis, Senior Vice President for Programming, NPR. “We believe these changes, made in collaboration with our partners in the Consortium, better serve the role of public radio and the interests of the audience seeking information in both the broadcast and online spaces. We thank Ed for his contribution to the program and wish him success with his new television program.”

Added Loretta Rucker, Executive Director of the Consortium, “The Consortium is delighted with this new role for Farai, who is talented, creative and fearless as a broadcaster. She brings an adventurous spirit and authenticity that audiences crave and appreciate. Nicole has already proven herself to be a tremendous asset with the show, offering clear leadership to the dedicated staff and a talent for finding and communicating the heartbeat of stories. The Consortium is looking forward to ‘News & Notes’ fresh and exciting new dynamic, and we know these two powerful journalists will play significant roles in that process.”

Chideya has worked in print, television online and radio. Before joining “News & Notes” in February 2005, she was host of Your Call, a daily news and cultural call-in show on NPR Member station KALW in San Francisco. She has also been a correspondent for ABC News; commentator for CNN, Fox, MSNBC and BET, and anchor of the Oxygen cable network primetime program Pure Oxygen. Chideya began her career as a reporter for Newsweek and, in 1997, was chosen one of the magazine’s “100 People to Watch.” She is the author of three books and has written for such publications as the New York Times, Vibe, O and Essence.

For her extensive involvement in digital media, she was named one of Alternet’s “New Media Heroes” and PoliticsOnline.com's worldwide "25 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics,” and is recipient of a MOBE IT Innovator Award. Other honors include a North Star News Prize from the North Star Fund, recognizing journalists of color who have made significant contributions to the field; a “Young Lion” from the Black Entertainment & Telecommunications Association (BETA), a GLAAD Award and a National Education Reporting Award. Chideya graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a B.A. in English.

Before joining “News & Notes” and NPR in July 2005, Childers spent six years in broadcast and digital journalism at ABC News. There, she worked with Diane Sawyer on the newsmagazine Primetime Live, and then was named Associate Producer for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. She covered such major stories as 9/11, the Iraq war and the death of Pope John Paul II. She was also producer for the launch of ABC News’ digital channel, ABC News Now. Childers has been honored with two Emmys as well as Peabody, DuPont-Columbia and Edward R. Murrow Awards. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Afro-American Studies.

“News & Notes” made its premiere in January 2005 and is produced at NPR West studios in Los Angeles. It currently airs on 86 stations and has an audience of 875,000 weekly listeners.


Go to Target Market News homepage

 

Click here to read more

________________________

The African-American
Book Publishing Authority

Now in its seventh year of publication, Black Issues Book Review is the only nationally distributed magazine devoted exclusively to covering the latest news and reviews on black books. BIBR also provides up-to-date news on forthcoming author events, publications, conferences, shows and exhibits.
Want this issue? Get it with your new subscription.
Click Here
________________________


________________________


 12th Annual Edition Available 
Latest 'Buying Power' report shows black consumers spending more on home life

As the American economy continues to move sluggishly, African-American households are curtailing their spending in many categories, including food, clothing and basic household items, while investing more in home repair, home entertainment and consumer electronics. Although they are trimming back, black consumers are still spending more than their white counterparts on most of these products.
Story and statistics continued
_________________________

  SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 


The trade publication for
in-depth coverage of Black
Consumer Marketing
and Media news