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

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

Food

NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.

Politics

NPR

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says.

Technology

NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.