WAMU 88.5, Washington’s NPR news station is planning a multiyear strategy to reshape its news division to provide more in-depth, local news coverage, thus better serving its audience as a leading source of local news.
The initiative also includes the filling of eight new full-time news positions for a collaborative WAMU and DCist news division. Also, specific attention will be given to the business and development beat, while environmental reporting will also include deeper coverage of environmental justice issues.
The extended weekend and evening shifts, and refined workflows that WAMU and DCist have put in place in the last year have allowed the station to take a significant step forward.
Monna Kashfi, WAMU’s chief content officer said:
“Research shows that people still turn to local media as their most trusted source for news. There is a responsibility that comes with keeping and maintaining this trust and making every effort to serve the needs of our community. This plan is our commitment to carrying out that responsibility at a time when we know our listeners and readers are seeking out news and information about their communities to navigate the new challenges we are all facing.”
