Katherine Maher is an American executive and former journalist, currently serving as the CEO of National Public Radio (NPR). She gained prominence as the CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, where she led efforts to expand free knowledge and digital accessibility worldwide.
Born in 1983, Katherine Maher studied Middle Eastern history and political science at New York University. Before joining Wikimedia in 2014, she worked in digital strategy roles at the World Bank, UNICEF, and the National Democratic Institute. Her expertise in technology, media, and public policy positioned her as a leading voice in internet governance and press freedom.
Maher was appointed NPR’s CEO in 2024, tasked with navigating the network through financial challenges and growing concerns over media bias. Her tenure has been marked by controversy, including a recent congressional hearing where she admitted NPR failed to properly cover the Hunter Biden laptop story. Critics have questioned her past political views and NPR’s editorial direction under her leadership.
Katherine Maher, the CEO of National Public Radio (NPR), is facing backlash following her testimony at a congressional hearing, where she admitted the network failed to properly cover the Hunter Biden laptop story. The session, held on March 26, 2025, sparked intense debate over NPR’s editorial decisions, political bias, and its reliance on federal funding.
Maher, who took over as NPR’s chief executive in early 2024, acknowledged that the organization should have investigated and reported on the Hunter Biden controversy earlier. The laptop, initially dismissed by many media outlets as misinformation, later became a significant issue in political discourse. “We should have covered it more aggressively,” Maher admitted, marking a rare acknowledgment from a major news executive regarding media oversight.
The hearing turned heated when Republican lawmakers, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, challenged Maher over NPR’s editorial stance. Greene questioned Maher’s past social media activity, which has been scrutinized for allegedly reflecting left-leaning biases. “How can NPR claim to be an unbiased source when its leadership holds such views?” Greene asked during the session.
Maher defended NPR’s journalistic integrity, stating that the organization is committed to fair and accurate reporting. She also addressed concerns about NPR’s federal funding, clarifying that while NPR receives government grants, the majority of its funding comes from private donations and corporate sponsorships.
The debate over media bias has gained traction in recent years, with many conservatives accusing mainstream outlets of favoring liberal perspectives. NPR has often been at the center of this controversy, with critics pointing to instances where the outlet allegedly ignored or downplayed stories unfavorable to Democrats.
Maher’s testimony has reignited discussions about the role of public broadcasting in a politically divided media landscape. While some praised her for acknowledging past mistakes, others remain skeptical about whether NPR will change its approach to reporting.
The hearing’s fallout has made Maher a trending topic on social media, with users debating NPR’s credibility and the broader issue of media bias. As NPR navigates this controversy, the network faces mounting pressure to regain public trust and demonstrate its commitment to balanced journalism.
