WAMU 88.5 : About

About WAMU 88.5, Mission and Vision

July 29, 2011

WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington D.C. area. It is member-supported, professionally-staffed, and licensed to American University. Since 1961, WAMU 88.5 has provided programming to an audience of listeners that now totals 776,500* listeners on-air and online.

The station's 24-hour format blends a unique mixture of news, public affairs talk programming, and traditional American music. Home to a team of award-winning local reporters and acclaimed talk radio hosts, such as Diane Rehm and Kojo Nnamdi, WAMU 88.5 offers comprehensive coverage of local, national and international events. During the week, WAMU 88.5 focuses on news and information with The Diane Rehm Show, The Kojo Nnamdi Show and programming from NPR, PRI, APM, and the BBC. Weekends offer listeners a variety of news, entertainment and traditional American music with internationally recognized hosts Rob Bamberger and Ed Walker.

Deeply committed to the D.C. metro area, WAMU 88.5 produces regular and special programming that reflects the unique environment of the D.C. Metro area. Every week, Metro Connection celebrates the diversity of the local area with unique features and interviews, while citizen commentaries and programs like Youth Voices periodically engage members of the community in the ongoing public dialogue. The WAMU Community Council, a citizens' advisory panel, sponsors forums to find ways that radio can shed light on difficult problems and complicated issues.

* Copyright Arbitron, National Regional Database Fall 2012, U.S. Total, Monday-Sunday, 6a-Mid, P12+

Our Mission

WAMU will remain the standard for lifelong learning through civil discourse, in-depth news and compelling entertainment that foster an engaged and connected local, national and global community.

Our Vision

To be the most respected and trusted voice in the world of traditional and emerging media, recognized for our commitment to serving Community, neighborhood and global, with balanced, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining programs of the highest possible quality.

Arts & Culture

NPR

A Read Down Memory Lane: Lessons From Your Former Self

Writings from childhood — cards, stories and other notes — can hide for decades, like time capsules tucked away in boxes, old bedrooms, attics and journals. Writer Jim Sollisch talks about how old thank you notes from his youth foreshadowed his adult life.

Food

NPR

Inside A Tart Cherry Revival: 'Somebody Needs To Do This!'

The revival is partly based on the humble sour fruit's growing reputation as a superfood. And in Michigan, a scientist is on a quest to introduce a whole new world of hardier, tastier tart cherries by breeding American trees with ancestral varieties from Eastern Europe.

Politics

NPR

Srinivasan's Confirmation First For D.C. Circuit In 7 Years

The partisan war over judicial nominees has accelerated in recent years. It took nearly a year to win Senate confirmation for Sri Srinivasan to the important federal appeals court for the District of Columbia, though he had no formal opposition.

Technology

NPR

3-D Printer Makes Life-Saving Splint For Baby Boy's Airway

A 3-D printer is being credited with helping to save an Ohio baby's life, after doctors "printed" a tube to support a weak airway that caused him to stop breathing. The innovative procedure has allowed Kaiba Gionfriddo, of Youngstown, Ohio, to stay off a ventilator for more than a year.