Community Representation and STLPR
Since 1972, St. Louis Public Radio has served as the region’s NPR member station and a trusted source of local news that informs, engages and creates understanding. Our vision is to make St. Louis a beacon of public service journalism through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement that helps our region thrive.
To realize this vision and establish STLPR as a beacon of understanding, the community we serve must be represented in all that we do. We can consider three essential elements of STLPR’s operation when evaluating how we represent our community: how we produce journalism, the people who make it possible and the way we serve and engage our audiences, donors and sponsors.
Journalism & Editorial Approach
The STLPR newsroom produces rigorous, multiplatform journalism that reflects the full spectrum of our region’s voices, including and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the media. We devote resources to helping citizens understand the way local and state politics works, informing on issues that affect their lives. Our journalists and producers are intentional in their sourcing, making efforts to expand who our audience hears from, and on what subjects.
We meet audiences where they are, literally, with journalism that is accessible across multiple platforms, relevant to our region and reported from the communities where news is happening.
Staff & Workplace Culture
STLPR is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve across all levels of the organization. We still have work to do. Over the last several years, our staff has consciously and collaboratively built workplace structures and an interpersonal culture that support individual growth and authenticity and that is deeply focused on our mission and all those we serve.
We recognize, through experience, that a healthy, motivating and human-centered environment makes our journalism stronger and our community service better. We recognize that this work is ongoing—STLPR evolves as our communities do.
Community Engagement, Fundraising & Stewardship
We approach fundraising with integrity, transparency and deep respect for our supporters. That means we invite and engage with feedback, share the impacts of our reporting and practice responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. Every audience member, donor and sponsor plays a vital role in sustaining our mission.
At STLPR, we believe that trusted journalism, a thriving and representative team and a deeply engaged community are not separate goals; they are interdependent. When we invest in all three, we don’t just inform the region, we help shape a more connected, equitable and vibrant future for everyone who calls it home.