Carol Olson, President of Virginia Center For Public Press A Call For Fair and Balanced Journalism

I know that the volunteers at WRIR, whether they are talk show hosts, producers or DJs, believe that our challenge is to seek truth and report it, minimize harm, and act independently. You know this is true because it’s our mission statement (created 11 years ago): WRIR airs underrepresented music, news and views in order to provide a platform for cultural diversity in Richmond. You hear it in the passion of our voices, in the power of our content and in the empowerment of your knowledge.

An independent media is more important than ever. As the most independent radio station and public press organization in the Richmond area, our volunteers strive to give you balanced opinions that allow all voices to speak. We want our programs to inspire you to be an active member of your community. Accurate information keeps your city healthy and thriving. For example, Open Source RVA provides balanced and researched journalism that reports on community issues. Programs like Central Va. Legal Aid, Diversity Speaks!, the V Word and Inspire Indeed give you information and facts on important social concerns, community needs and the resources available to address them.

If you want to make a difference, then join us. You will volunteer with people of many cultural, social and economic backgrounds from all over the Richmond area. What brings us together is a belief in truly independent community radio. Discover the opportunities on our website. Fill out a volunteer application. If you can’t volunteer your time, you can support WRIR’s mission with your financial gift. WRIR’s main source of funding comes from people like yourself.

Our history in America has been a bumpy ride of taking rights, accessing rights, and sharing rights. One of the things we have been proud of are the canons of journalistic integrity we developed: responsibility, freedom of the press, truthfulness, accuracy, impartiality, and decency. Thank you for allowing WRIR to carry this torch!

Carol Olson is president of the Virginia Center for Public Press and radio producer at WRIR 97.3 LPFM – Richmond Independent Radio www.wrir.org. In 2016, Richmond YWCA recognized her with an Outstanding Woman Award for Media and Marketing.