Employees: Minnesota Public Radio 'Prioritizes' White Listeners

TWIN CITIES, MN — Following several recent high-profile departures from the station, employees at Minnesota Public Radio have issued a list of demands related to "racial and gender concerns" for the company.

"Our company culture and our news coverage routinely prioritizes white audiences and their stories, neglecting communities of color," the letter reads. "The company, over its 53-year history, has also fostered a harmful working environment for women and journalists of color."

Last week, MPR fired Eric Malmberg, a DJ who was employed by 89.3 The Current. The firing took place days after longtime reporter Marianne Combs resigned from the station.

Combs said MPR did not allow her to fully investigate accusations of sexual misconduct against a DJ, who she did not name.

The departure of Combs and the firing of Malmberg came less than a week after Garrett McQueen was fired from the MPR classical music station. McQueen was the state's only Black classical music host. He was fired because he repeatedly made unauthorized programming changes, the company said.

MPR employees wrote that they and the listeners have lost trust in the station's "senior leaders" during the tumultuous month.

"We’re asking company leaders to immediately adopt recommendations many employees have been suggesting for years. By our count, hundreds of employee hours have been spent in listening sessions, committees, employee resource group meetings and task forces — all aimed at addressing these very issues."

See the list of demands below:

• "Immediately disclose racial breakdowns for hiring, interviewing and attrition across MPR News and APM Reports newsroom positions, and update twice a year."
• "Hire or promote journalists of color to senior editorial positions at MPR News and APM Reports within six months."
• "Hire more reporters to support robust coverage of race, diversity and inequities."
• "Develop a career pathway for interns and fellows."
• "Immediately release the full report of the independent Pay Equity Study."
• "Correct pay disparities within six months."
• "Institute a 360 review system for all newsroom employees — not just senior company leaders."
• "Make an annual newsroom diversity report public for our audiences."
• "Support the attendance of journalists of color at conferences."

Read the entire letter from MPR employees here.

Minnesota Public Radio did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment