NPR suspends search for senior news exec

National Public Radio interim chief executive Joyce Slocum informed staff she has decided to stop the search for a senior vice president for news after consulting with members of the search advisory committee.

Ellen Weiss was forced to resign from that position in January over her role in the firing of news analyst Juan Williams. Slocum said the decision was driven by the fact that several candidates for the senior news position have indicated interest in the CEO position; the two people would have to work closely. "It’s only fair that the CEO have a key role in selecting the [senior vice president] News and that the [senior vice president] News know who his or her long-term boss will be when coming into the position," Slocum said. "I know that we all want to fill these roles as quickly as possible with permanent leadership. At the same time, I think we all want to follow the best possible process for each of these enormously important hiring decisions. This approach will help accomplish both objectives."