Remembering John Lansing: Transformative Leader of NPR

John Lansing: A Visionary Leader in Public Radio

John Lansing, who served as the chief executive of NPR from 2019 until early this year, passed away on August 14 at his residence in Eagle River, Wisconsin. He was 67 years old. An NPR representative confirmed his death but did not disclose the cause.

With a career in journalism that began right after he graduated from high school, Mr. Lansing joined NPR with a clear mission: to extend the organization’s reach beyond conventional radio into emerging media platforms such as podcasts and newsletters. His tenure was marked by a commitment to innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing media landscape, which was further complicated by the global pandemic.

Upon taking the helm at NPR, Mr. Lansing articulated what he referred to as his “north star” — a steadfast dedication to broadening NPR’s audience to encompass a younger and more diverse demographic. This mission was complemented by a parallel commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) in every facet of the organization, from its coverage to its staffing and sourcing. His initiatives included:

• Documenting the diversity of sources used in NPR’s reporting.
• Implementing unconscious bias training for staff.
• Actively hiring individuals of color for both on-air and off-air positions.

Mr. Lansing believed that a robust focus on D.E.I. was essential to fulfilling NPR’s promise to accurately reflect the diverse tapestry of the American public. In an interview with Current, a magazine dedicated to public media, he stated, “I felt that we needed to double down our efforts in D.E.I. throughout our organization in order to fulfill the promise to reflect the entire American public in terms of what America looks like.”

John Lansing stepped into the role of NPR’s chief executive in October 2019, just as he was beginning to establish his vision for the organization. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic soon presented an unprecedented challenge. With a significant shift towards remote work, radio listenership plummeted, leading to a substantial $25 million deficit as corporations reduced their sponsorship spending. Mr. Lansing’s leadership during this tumultuous period was characterized by resilience and adaptability, as he sought to navigate NPR through one of the most challenging times in modern media history.