Marfa Public Radio Joins PM4A

Elise Pepple, GM of Marfa Public Radio in West Texas, offered the following about why they decided to commit to participating.

“Marfa Public Radio is excited to participate in Public Media for All because the core mission of public radio is to reflect and serve the public. If that public is limited to just a few, everyone is missing out and our sense of truth and imagination are also limited.”

Marfa Public Radio is an award-winning, non-profit, listener-supported radio station serving far West Texas. Thier mission is to be a public service and a lifeline for our community, to unify and promote cultural enrichment through presentation and focus on the importance of art, education, science, quality of life and the local economy. Marfa Public Radio is the recipient of numerous journalistic awards. The station has received 54 Regional Murrow Awards since it began entering the competition in 2012. Most recently, the station won 10 Regional Murrow awards in 2019 reporting, as well as 3 National Murrow Awards in addition to 7 Regional Murrow awards for its reporting in 2018, (the most of any small station in the country) and 2 PRNDI awards for its reporting in 2019.

St. Louis Public Radio Joins PM4A

"On this 'Day of Action for Public Media For All,' St. Louis Public Radio embraces the powerful, pointed and time bound steps outlined in the initiative,” Interim General Manager Tom Livingston said. “St. Louis Public Radio has made some progress in recent years to become a more diverse organization. But, there is still much work to be done – particularly in the areas of equity in training opportunities, diversifying management and leadership, and fostering a more inclusive workplace. Without diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce, we can't fully deliver on our mission to inform, inspire and engage the diverse audiences and communities we serve."

An independent investigation of equity practices at the station remains underway. Once that is complete, UMSL’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will provide specific recommendations to improve hiring, recruiting and retention efforts.

During this day of action, St. Louis Public Radio staff will participate in a Public Media For All workshop and are encouraged to spend additional time reading and reflecting on the negative effects of systemic racism and ways to bring change to their own organization and public media as a whole.

St. Louis Public Radio is already taking a number of actions related to the Public Media For All initiative, including:

●        Applying to bring the Next Generation Radio project to St. Louis;

●        Implementing 360 performance management reviews for all supervisors;

●        Forming a new committee of the Friends of KWMU Community Advisory Board focused on diversity, equity and inclusion;

●        Forming a staff working group focused on diversity, equity and inclusion;

●        Working to again fund a paid internship program to provide training for college students and graduates; and

●        Seeking a third-party facilitator to engage staff in brave, constructive and respectful conversations about race.

WYSO Joins PM4A

Luke Dennis, GM of WYSO and President of Miami Valley Public Media in Ohio, offered the following about why they decided to commit to participating.

"Like every majority white organization, we have inequitable practices at both the interpersonal and institutional levels. At WYSO Public Radio, DEI work has become our top priority. Immersing ourselves in this work will lead to more diverse programs and a more diverse audience. It will keep us vital and connected to the increasingly diverse southwest Ohio community we serve. Transforming WYSO's culture is a moral and ethical necessity. This is our chance to level set, to set ambitious new goals around equity and inclusion, and to be a leader among smaller stations. As a team we are embracing this moment."

KUT & KUTX Join PM4A

Debbie Hiott, Executive Director & General Manager of KUT and KUTX in Austin, Texas, offered the following about why they decided to commit to participating.

“We know that we have not always been as inclusive and reflective of our community as we should be, either in our workplace or the content we provide, so we are committed to improving that. The internal goals and changes our staff has been recommending fall very much in line with the ‘Public Media for All’ goals, so we are excited to join with others in the industry in this effort.”

Rocky Mountain Public Media Joins PM4A

Amanda Mountain, President & CEO of Rocky Mountain Public Media in Colorado, offered the following about why they decided to commit to participating.

“We are proud to participate in Public Media for All because we want to be a leader in ensuring our industry, and our organization, is more equitable, inclusive and diverse.”

Over a million Coloradans turn to Rocky Mountain PBS to discover provocative and inspiring local, national and international programming; find diverse viewpoints; score front row center seats to world-class performances; and experience lifelong learning opportunities every month.

Rocky Mountain Public Media is the parent company of Rocky Mountain PBS, KUVO Jazz, and The Drop.

Rocky Mountain PBS began in Denver in 1956 as Colorado's first public television station. It is now Colorado's only statewide television network, with stations in Denver, Pueblo/Colorado Springs, Steamboat Springs, Grand Junction and Durango.