NPR President Defends Bob Edwards Decision in St. Louis

By Matt Sepic, KWMU

St. Louis, MO –

Kevin Klose has been president of National Public Radio for more than five years. He took the helm in late 1998 after overseeing Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty for the U.S. Government.

Last year he coordinated what could be called the biggest pledge ever to public radio: A $200 million bequest from the late fast food heiress Joan Kroc.

Now Klose is taking criticism for a different item in the news: The decision to replace longtime Morning Edition host Bob Edwards.

Klose visited St. Louis Wednesday. He told KWMU's Matt Sepic the move to replace Edwards came partly as a response to coverage of the 2001 terrorist attacks.