Steve Oney's new book, "On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR," reveals the tumultuous beginnings of NPR, characterized by a counterculture atmosphere in the newsroom. He describes the staff as 'radio revolutionaries' engaged in a culture of openness, with drugs and sexual relationships prevalent. Notably, Oney shares that there was an actual cocaine dealer among NPR employees, illustrating the extremes of the early days. Despite the controversial environment, Oney insists NPR was not founded as a liberal institution but rather as a bold collective experiment amidst changing media landscapes.
Oney described NPR's early staff as radio revolutionaries, capturing a culture of openness and experimentation amid a permissive, chaotic atmosphere of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll.
The early NPR atmosphere was defined by youthful permissiveness—frequent hook-ups among staff, and reportedly, cocaine was openly sold within the newsroom.
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