If they have to move to the right out of a sense of self preservation that kind of illustrates my point. The existence of NPR only matters in so far as it is able to speak truth to power, it has been steadily losing that ability.

Not really, NPR is a staunch supporter of the neoliberal establishment and function the same as MSNBC or other corporate outlets. They help prop up the corporate right wing of the Democratic party and suppress the center/left.

They’ve failed to elevate any of the very real criticisms of Biden, the only time they host criticism is when he’s moved left even the smallest amount, then they’re all over it.

They’re also extremely susceptible to adopting the political terminology and framing provided by the far-right and seem incapable of recognizing that they’re being played. It’s why they describe the genocide in Gaza as a “war” still, describe people like Manchin as “moderates” and “centrists”, and why they demonize people like Sanders as “the far left”.

It makes people uncomfortable to hear, but NPR is corporate conservative more than it is center/left or even liberal really. They have been instrumental in moving the Overton window to the right, mainly out of political incompetence and self-interest.