John Lansing, the former President and CEO of NPR, passed away on August 16, 2024, at the age of 67. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that significantly shaped the landscape of public broadcasting in the United States.
Lansing joined NPR in 2019 after a distinguished career in both commercial and government media. His leadership at NPR was defined by his unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, a cause he championed from the outset. Under his guidance, NPR’s workforce and leadership team became more diverse, reflecting his belief in the importance of representing a wide array of voices and perspectives.
Katherine Maher, the current President and CEO of NPR, praised Lansing’s leadership during some of the organization’s most challenging times. "John had a tremendous impact on NPR’s workplace culture and led the organization through some of its most difficult times," Maher said. She highlighted his decisive actions during the global pandemic, which ensured that NPR continued to provide uninterrupted, high-quality programming during a critical period.
Before his tenure at NPR, Lansing served as the CEO of the United States Agency for Global Media, overseeing prominent entities like Voice of America. His career in media began in 1975 in Paducah, Kentucky, and over the decades, he rose to become a senior television executive with Scripps.
The news of his passing has elicited an outpouring of grief and respect from those who knew him. Randy Shaver, reflecting on their shared history, wrote on Facebook, "I’m so saddened to hear the news of the death of John Lansing. What a giant in our business and a personal mentor of mine back in the 1980s at KARE 11. He was smart, kind, funny, and a leader. RIP John."
Other expressions of condolence flooded social media, with many offering their sympathies to Lansing’s family and colleagues. Mary Pittman, a close associate, simply commented, “So sorry for your loss!!” while Millie Troup added, “Prayers to all.”
John Lansing’s legacy is one of integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to the mission of public broadcasting. His impact on NPR and the broader media landscape will be felt for many years to come.