Lawmakers Complain about University-Affiliated Reporter’s Lack of ID during Interview

, Spencer Irvine, Leave a comment

The reporter in question was fired because she failed to identify herself as a reporter while interviewing Tennessee state lawmakers with a group of high school students. Lawmakers said she did not clearly identify herself as a reporter, to which the reporter said she was wearing a National Public Radio (NPR) badge that was easily identifiable.

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga funds a local NPR station to the tune of over $500,000, which the reporter worked for.

But this brings up a bigger point: Why is a state-funded university funding a local NPR outlet?