NPR to impose near-freeze on hiring but avoids layoffs as budget cuts loom

NPR expects a $20 million shortfall in sponsorships this fiscal year. It plans to freeze hiring, among other things to reduce expenses. (Stephen Voss/Stephen Voss)

NPR will need to cut at least $10 million from the current fiscal year ending next Sept. 30, the network's chief executive, John Lansing, announced Wednesday, due to a sharp drop in revenue from sponsors.

Lansing told staffers in a memo that he intended to avoid layoffs, but would be forced to severely curtail hiring, amounting to what he described as "close to a total hiring freeze." The network will also sharply cut back discretionary spending and non-essential travel. The $10 million cut constitutes approximately 3% of NPR's current annual budget.