A message from the CEO

Dear Friend,

WBUR turns 75 this year. Our beginnings were humble. We started as a 400-watt educational radio station. Some say the signal got staticky whenever the wind blew. Today we're a world-class news organization, reaching millions of people in Boston and beyond with thoughtful, fair and trustworthy coverage.

The other night, I met a woman who has been listening (and giving) for more than 30 years. She said, "I don't know what I would do without WBUR." I've met and heard from countless people who express that same sentiment. I love knowing that the work we do makes a meaningful difference in so many lives. In that light, it's important for you to know that our future is in peril.

I was a young(ish) producer on NPR's All Things Considered in 1995 when then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich tried to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting. Public media devotees flooded congressional offices with calls and letters. We breathed a deep sigh of relief when his efforts failed.

That was a scary time. But it feels like a walk in the park compared to now. The forces against us today are far greater. Here's a snapshot:

Hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding are once again at stake and so is the viability of hundreds of NPR member organizations that provide deeply reported news and information to local communities — in red states and blue — all across America.

A little more than 3% of WBUR's annual budget comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But federal dollars also support stations across the country that air our two national shows, Here & Now and On Point. Those syndication dollars help fuel WBUR.

These new threats compound the business model challenges that just about every news organization faces today. WBUR is drawing on our limited reserves to deliver an essential service. This is not sustainable.

That means we need all the people who count on us to give as generously as you can. Perhaps more than you ever have before.

As journalists we will cover what unfolds without fear or favor — no matter what is happening to us. Our reporting must be fact-based and impartial. We are not the resistance. It's our job to understand and reflect the real concerns of many people in this country. To go beneath the surface, cover the most consequential issues and to do so with rigor, boundless curiosity and respect.

Beyond telling the truth and telling it well — we believe in the power of journalism to foster understanding, connection and community. And there is something about the intimacy and the immediacy of audio that reminds us of our shared humanity. So crucial in these polarized times.

There is a pressing need for quality journalism. So if you care about anything — whether it's the health of our democracy, the health of our planet or the health of our community — supporting WBUR's independent journalism should be a priority. There are no paywalls. Our journalism is free and accessible to everyone. Not just those who can afford a subscription.

We hope you share our belief that WBUR makes Boston and the region a better place to call home — for everyone — and that you will stand with us today. Thank you for reading this letter and thank you for your enduring support.

Please help us spread the word. Share this note with anyone you think could make a difference.

With appreciation,
Margaret Low
Chief Executive Officer, WBUR