Meghna Chakrabarti And David Folkenflik Named Co-Hosts Of WBUR And NPR's On Point

WBUR, announced today that it is appointing Meghna Chakrabarti and David Folkenflik as the new co-hosts of On Point, the weekday news and talk program distributed on close to 300 NPR stations nationwide. They will start the week of August 20.

“At a time when media is so polarized, On Point has long been the home for America’s national conversation on public radio, bringing together newsmakers, cultural icons and people from all walks of life under one big tent,” said WBUR General Manager Charlie Kravetz. “We’re excited for Meghna and David to carry on the tradition at On Point of inspired conversation and respect for a wide range of opinions. On Point gives voice to Americans across the continent, welcoming them to share their thoughts with our guests and other listeners from communities across the United States. It’s a unique national service, born out of the crisis of 9/11 and just as essential today. We welcome Meghna and David as they bring their journalistic skills, intellectual curiosity and instinctive compassion to the important work of hosting On Point.”

Meghna Chakrabarti is a proven talent, hitting her stride: she’s recognized nationally for her work on WBUR & NPR’s midday program, Here & Now, and the popular podcast, Modern Love, a collaboration between WBUR and The New York Times. She has been the host of WBUR’s award-winning program Radio Boston since 2010 and has served for the past five years as the permanent fill-in cohost at Here & Now. Chakrabarti holds bachelor’s degrees in civil and environmental engineering from Oregon State University, a master’s degree in environmental science and risk management from Harvard University, and an MBA from Boston University. She will host On Point Monday through Thursday from the WBUR studios in Boston.

“It’s an honor to join the On Point staff and serve its nationwide community of listeners,” said Chakrabarti. “For the past ten years, I’ve been lucky enough at WBUR to hone a style of journalism that combines a reporter’s dogged, enterprising approach along with the freshness and intensity of live conversation. It’s a privilege to bring that to a national stage and to work with David, who I’ve followed and admired for years.”

David Folkenflik is NPR’s media correspondent, covering journalism, the media industry and the intersection between politics and the press. A highly regarded reporter for nearly 14 years at NPR, Folkenflik has been on top of major ongoing national stories including President Trump’s difficult relationship with the media. Before working at NPR, he was the media critic and reporter for the Baltimore Sun, and previously served as a Washington correspondent there. His work has also appeared in the Washington Post, Politico Magazine, and on CBS This Morning among others. Folkenflik is the author of Murdoch's World: The Last of the Old Media Empires and editor of Page One: Inside the New York Times and the Future of Journalism. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Cornell. Folkenflik will host On Point each Friday from New York, including the popular “Week in the News.” He will continue to cover the media for NPR based at the network’s New York City bureau.

“Our era calls for meaningful news and conversation about the issues, people and events that define contemporary life,” Folkenflik said. “On Point will be infused with a sense of history, humanity and humor – and it will endure as a forum where our listeners can themselves be heard. I’m gratified by the trust shown in me by WBUR and NPR in naming me to this new role, and to share it with someone as talented as Meghna. And I’m eager to get started with the terrific team at On Point.”

“On Point, with its live call-in segments, serves a vital role in NPR’s mission by engaging listeners from member stations around the country in civil discourse,” said NPR CEO Jarl Mohn. “David and Meghna will bring a broad range of deep experiences that will generate vibrant discussions and conversations every day for public radio.”

Produced by WBUR in Boston and distributed by NPR, On Point’s conversations cover everything from breaking news to pop culture, and features writers, politicians, journalists, artists, scientists and ordinary citizens from around the world. On Point, carried on close to 300 stations coast-to-coast including 8 of the top 10 markets, is produced live Monday-Friday, 10a.m. - 12p.m. EST and is NPR’s only live call-in program.