As a St. Louis news organization, we often hear that we’re not getting things right. We aren’t talking about the things that matter to you — and if we are, we’re missing important details, people, places and things. We want to do better. We need your help to start.
After all, our station’s motto is “News that Matters.” Maybe what we should be saying, too, is “news that matters to you.”
St. Louis Public Radio is embarking on an initiative that will turn our traditional reporting method on its head. We want to start by listening — to you — before reporting. It’s different, it’s a little scary, but we want to be transparent about finding a place to start through conversation. It’s not everything, but it is a start.
We invite you to drop in to meet us from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, at Ferguson Public Library.
We want to listen to you, whatever’s on your mind, in any way you want to share. That’s our purpose, as we invite you to drop in to meet us from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, at Ferguson Public Library, 35 N Florissant Rd, Ferguson, Mo., 63135.
What are you talking about at your dinner table? Who is the hero living next door to you that no one has heard of? What’s the last conversation with a friend that left you speechless?
We exist to serve you and we need your help to do that job better and more authentically. Come meet with St. Louis Public Radio reporters and staffers and tell us what is impacting your life and your community. You’ll find us at a table with a recorder to capture your stories and thoughts. If you don’t want to be recorded, that’s OK, too, we’d love to just chat with you.
This is the first step that we’ll be taking across the St. Louis region (we cover events, people and news happening six counties, in addition to the city of St. Louis, did you know?) to learn about your thoughts, feelings, hopes and concerns about living here.
We’re open to your suggestions:
- Where do you think St. Louis Public Radio should go and how should we go there?
- What’s important to your life and livelihood that you don’t hear being reflected in “the media” and on St. Louis Public Radio?
We’re coming to this with no preconceived notions and we’re open to suggestions. Email llockhart@stlpublicradio.org if you have ideas in the meantime.
On Monday’s St. Louis on the Air, Shula Neuman, St. Louis Public Radio’s executive editor, and reporter Durrie Bouscaren joined host Don Marsh to discuss the initiative and invite people to come out on Aug. 4:
St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.
