Boston University Public News/Talk 90.9 WBUR Boston has announced that General Manager Charlie Kravetz will step down effective June 30, but will immediately relinquish day-to-day management of the station.
Kravetz has served as WBUR General Manager since 2010. His exit comes just as the staff of the station voted 73-3 to unionize last month. That vote came following backlash from the staff on how the station handled the investigation and termination of On Point host Tom Ashbrook after years of allegations of bullying and sexual misconduct. The station reports that Kravetz was one of the areas the station needed to focus on with problems of communication, accountability and an awareness of his impact on the station’s culture.
Managing Director of News and Programming Sam Fleming will oversee all of WBUR’s operations until a successor is named.
Boston University and Charlie Kravetz have announced that Mr. Kravetz will be leaving his position as General Manager of WBUR effective June 30, 2019. With the opening of CitySpace, WBUR’s new multi-media community venue, and the conclusion of a union organizing campaign at the station, both Boston University and Mr. Kravetz agreed that it was an appropriate time for a transition, his to pursue new options, and BU to new leadership at Boston’s public radio station. Mr. Kravetz will relinquish his day-to-day management of WBUR this week, and the University has appointed Sam Fleming, the station’s current Managing Director of News and Programming, to manage the station and oversee its operation until Mr. Kravetz’s successor has been hired. While Mr. Kravetz will no longer be resident at the station, he has agreed to provide Mr. Fleming with strategic advice and assistance during the transition. The University will launch a national search for Mr. Kravetz’s successor in the upcoming days.
During Mr. Kravetz’s eight years as General Manager of WBUR, the station’s staff, reputation, digital platforms, and commitment to news and community engagement have grown to unprecedented levels. Mr. Kravetz leaves WBUR strongly positioned in the marketplace. With a superb staff of journalists making the award-winning station one of the great public radio outlets in the country, BU is confident that the search for a successor will attract a number of outstanding candidates. The University recognizes and appreciates all the good and substantial contributions Mr. Kravetz made to WBUR over the years, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.
