NPR CEO who previously called First Amendment a 'challenge' to receive 'First Amendment Award'

Katherine Maher, the CEO of NPR, is set to receive the James C. Goodale First Amendment Award from Harper's Magazine later this month. The award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the protection and preservation of the First Amendment. Maher's receipt of the award has been met with criticism from some, who point to her past comments on the First Amendment as a "challenge" to efforts to combat disinformation.

In 2021, while serving as CEO of Wikimedia, Maher discussed the difficulties of addressing disinformation under the First Amendment, stating that it provides "a fairly robust protection of rights" for platforms to regulate content. This statement has been cited by some as evidence that Maher does not fully support the First Amendment.

NPR has also faced criticism for its handling of certain stories, including its decision not to cover the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020. Maher later acknowledged that the publication "made a mistake" in failing to cover the story more aggressively. The decision not to cover the story was seen by many as an effort to protect then-presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Harper's Magazine has defended its decision to award Maher the First Amendment Award, citing her leadership of NPR during a period of "heightened scrutiny and challenge." The magazine has also pointed to NPR's efforts to defend the First Amendment and promote journalism in the public interest.

Some critics, however, have expressed skepticism about the award, arguing that it is hypocritical for Harper's Magazine to recognize Maher's efforts to defend the First Amendment while also criticizing her past comments on the amendment. Tim Graham, executive editor of NewsBusters, said that the award is an example of the "liberal impulse" to prioritize criticism of Trump and the Republicans over other issues.