Comments on: Unemployment Line: NPR Cancels Only African-American Focused Show ‘News & Notes’

By: horac jackson

horac jackson — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:52:27 +0000

This is where4 support and moneny is needed.

rather than to Mr. Tavis Smiley and all his JIVE

By: Mark LaPointe

Mark LaPointe — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:04:53 +0000

I was doing a google search for “News and Notes” this morning and was surprised to come across this posting. In fact, News and Notes is indeed still on the air. I wonder if it’s been taken off the air by specific, independently-run NPR affiliates… but from a national NPR point-of-view, it’s still around.

I don’t get it in my local market, but I do listen to it online. Perhaps if you can’t find it on your local station, you can check it out there as well.

By: Janette Greer

Janette Greer — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:09:49 +0000

I will miss news & notes . Farai show ,made my hour long lunch more enjoyable. I miss hearing her conversations and commentaries about current events. I am a 48 year old black woman from Huntsville, Alabama. Farai stories were fascinating and always timely.I have always supported NPR news. When Farai leaves I will listen more to I R N news. Farai. God bless you.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:31:48 +0000

Cancelled? I thought I just heard it on-air only a day or two ago. Terrific program, and I don’t listen with any cultural point of view (I’m not African-American) but as a fine source of news and entertainment information.

By: Oscar L. Beard

Oscar L. Beard — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:39:03 +0000

News and Notes is one of the few programs where there is no excuse made for being Black. It is still difficult to say anything about being Black or about Blacks without someone attempting to dilute the message by saying that such and such is also true of some other group. Rarely is the same thing actually true without qualification due to the very unique circumstances under which we arrived in this environment illegally or were subjugated as the first “American” civilization (Moor). But the diluters refuse to wait for the clarification because they have another mission.

By: Charles W. Negendank

Charles W. Negendank — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:26:23 +0000

Even though this program unfortunately does not air on my local affiliate, I am deeply troubled by its cancellation. While I access it online for in-depth features and valuable news from the African-American community, I am most concerned for those regular radio listeners across the country who will be denied the daily benefits of this enriching program. Using “small audience” or lack of national underwriting as the reasons for cancellation masks a subtle racism upon the part of the Executive staff of NPR. Denying a public outlet for such a crucial demographic is an untimely incident in the wake of a much-needed shift in America’s political landscape. NPR should re-think this poor decision.

By: Jabani Bennett

Jabani Bennett — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:03:09 +0000

I listen to NPR News and Notes everyday online. I do not find many programs that reflect the diverse worlds of people of color around the world.

How did NPR crunch its numbers to determine who is listening to the show? Did they look at online listeners? Did they create creative solutions before canceling the most edgy show in their organization? Do they care about a diverse listeners (outside of their middle aged upper middle class white base)?

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By: A.J. Muhammad

A.J. Muhammad — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:57:26 +0000

I hope that we as a people can mobilize like people did for the Obama campaign because this is just as important: to show NPR that we won’t stand for the cutting of “News & Notes” at a time when we need the most. Where else (besides WABC’s weekly “Like It Is” which is only broadcast in NYC or Bev Smith’s radio show that’s only broadcast in a few states) can African Americans or anybody can listen to thoughful analysis of issues that affect the Black community or this country as a whole? Where else can we hear about the conditions and contributions of Black people from across the African diaspora besides “News & Notes?” Farai Chideya and her indispensible crew have been taken for granted by NPR and we ain’t gonna stand for it. D.L. Hugley’s show on CNN ain’t gonna cut. We want Chideya. We want Chideya. We want Chideya!!!! Let’s boycott NPR and it’s sponsors until NPR does right by us and Farai!