NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Kevin Klose, president and chief executive officer of National Public Radio (NPR), America's largest nonprofit radio outlet for news and cultural programming, who has been a vital figure in shaping today's dynamic and successful public radio system, today received the 2006 Edward R. Murrow Award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
In presenting the award, Cheryl Halpern, CPB Board Chair, praised Klose, whose tenure as President and CEO for NPR has been marked by a dramatic expansion in listenership, as a "leader, a teacher and a visionary" and credited him with "recognizing the need to respond to listener preferences in a constantly changing and technologically evolving information marketplace."
Klose, who has led NPR since December 1998, is a former editor, and national and foreign correspondent with The Washington Post, an award-winning author and international broadcasting executive. Prior to joining NPR, Klose served as director of U.S. international broadcasting, overseeing the United States government's global radio and television news service; and President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Since 1977, CPB has presented the Murrow Award to individuals who foster public radio's quality and service and shape its direction. The award is named for the legendary reporter, producer, executive and government official, who championed responsible, courageous and imaginative uses of the electronic media during his distinguished 30-year career. It is the industry's most prestigious honor.
About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,400 locally-owned and -operated public television and radio stations nationwide, and is the largest single source of funding for research, technology, and program development for public radio, television and related online services.