NPR May Net Profit

National Public Radio is considering spinning off its online operations into a profit-making enterprise to help defray the cost of running the nonprofit public radio network. “NPR is engaged in intensive discussions with its board and member stations about how we might expand our online presence,” said NPR spokeswoman Siriol Evans. NPR, a network of 644 radio stations, launched NPR Online six years ago. The Web site, which offers newscasts, commentaries and live audio events, attracts 350,000 visits per week and a source close to the network said NPR hopes to make money selling advertising and making merchandising deals. But some critics say such a move could erode NPR’s public trust. “It will devalue the brand of NPR as an independent source” of news and information, said Gary Ruskin, director of Commercial Alert, an advertising watchdog group affiliated with Ralph Nader.