NPR Cancels Farai Chideya's News and Notes

Sigh...another curvy girl bites the dust....for now:

In response to the dismal economic climate, NPR has announced the cancellation of two West Coast based shows. The end of one of those shows, "News and Notes," hosted by Farai Chideya, signals the loss of a show created to attract black listeners. 'News and Notes' also provided jobs for a number of black journalists and a high profile outlet for black bloggers to be heard:

"It's a very difficult time for us all, but NPR is not exempt, unfortunately, from the recession that has covered our country in the last several months," Dennis Haarsager, NPR's interim president and CEO, said at its corporate headquarters in Washington, D.C. "We simply must react to it in a responsible way - and that's what we've tried to do."The two shows will go off the air on March 20, and 22 journalists working for them will lose their jobs, including hosts Madeleine Brand and Farai Chideya.

The shows are both based in Culver City, Calif., at NPR West, a major satellite operation.Day to Day was designed as a midday complement to mainstays Morning Edition and All Things Considered, while News and Notes, a successor to The Tavis Smiley Show, was intended to draw more African-American listeners. Beyond the two shows, another 12 journalists will lose their jobs throughout NPR News.

"If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying myfriend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."