NPR

I was once a shameless subscriber to two local National Public Radio stations. I am still a subscriber to them both. I listen daily. However, I am no longer as enthusiastic about their content.

The infomercial ad men and publicists have invaded NPR. I'm not happy.

From "Morning Edition" to "All Things Considered", there are countless plugs for books and subliminals about retail marketing. Interviews with authors have turned to book-signing raps, rather than constructive critical conversations. Financial "news" has been flavored with pro-free-market cheerleading.

So, this morning, as I am being pummeled by items on "Black Friday", the retail promotion day after Thanksgiving Day, I am wondering why I am contributing to my NPR stations. Why shouldn't Kmart, Target and Walmart be paying for this content? Why shouldn't Wall Street be paying for all the propaganda on NPR about the financial sector? Why shouldn't the real estate industry pay for all the propaganda on NPR about the housing sector? Why am I helping to pay for this stuff?

As a person who used to listen to NPR gleefully, because I felt I was listening to non-commercial radio with a full spectrum of political and social opinion, I am feeling less confident in its editorial integrity. While it still shines, compared to most FM radio content, it isn't the NPR I once supported with fierce loyalty.