NPR's Vivian Schiller Resigns in Wake of O'Keefe Sting

Following yesterday’s news that an NPR fundraiser was taped calling the Tea Party “seriously racist,” NPR President and CEO Vivian Schiller has resigned. Schiller was quick to condemn the comments, which were recorded as part of a sting by James O’Keefe, and the fundraiser in question resigned immediately. But, notes NPR’s news blog, the incident also followed last year’s Juan Williams firing gaffe, for which Schiller was widely criticized.

The NPR Board of Directors released a statement informing of Schiller’s resignation, effective immediately, today. “Vivian brought vision and energy to this organization” and the board accepted her resignation “with understanding, genuine regret, and great respect for her leadership of NPR these past two years,” it reads. Joyce Slocum, SVP of Legal Affairs and General Counsel, is now interim CEO. On Morning Edition, an NPR correspondent reportedly said he had been told Schiller “was forced out.” Click for more on yesterday's sting report. (More NPR stories.)