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From the President

  Contact: norms@wxxi.org

 

Twitter's labeling of NPR

By Norm Silverstein ~ Posted Thu, 04/13/2023 - 4:25pm
You couldn’t have listened to the news this week without hearing something about the "War of Words" between John Lansing, president of NPR, and Elon Musk, billionaire, inventor, and owner of the social media site Twitter. Musk has gotten it into his head that because NPR receives a small amount of funding from the federal government, it should be labeled as government-funded, with the implication that NPR is beholden to power brokers.
 
Let me assure you, nothing could be further from the truth.
 
NPR doesn’t pay member stations like WXXI to run their programming. We pay dues to NPR for the right to air their programming, helping to keep our members and our community informed. And where does that support come from? Member support, corporate underwriting, grants, bequests, and the generosity and interest of our listeners.
 
Why do people contribute? Because they know this is the place for fact-based journalism. This is Rochester’s place for news that matters. And, our reporters, announcers and editors are among the best.
 
In the more than 25 years that I’ve been at the helm at WXXI, I have never had a politician or government official call and try to influence me or get me to change a story. You’ve heard our pledge drives and may have made a gift yourself.
 
With your continued support, we’ll keep our community strong with news that matters, not confusing gibberish that seeks to undermine the truth. That’s what people expect from their WXXI… and that’s what we intend to deliver.
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WXXI is here to support our community during these challenging times

By Norm Silverstein ~ Posted Tue, 03/17/2020 - 1:31pm

During the current emergency brought on by COVID-19, WXXI will do everything possible to keep our community informed with the latest official information.  This is an important time for all of us to be well informed.

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WXXI honors Women's History Month

By Norm Silverstein ~ Posted Thu, 02/27/2020 - 5:38pm

March is “Women’s History Month” and 2020 will be a remarkable year for women’s rights as the country celebrates the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. WXXI will join in this celebration with television, radio, and online programming, as well as special events.

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Though it seems like we just celebrated the New Year, February also features several events that WXXI will be commemorating.

By Norm Silverstein ~ Posted Thu, 02/06/2020 - 11:06am

We observe Black History Month with special programming that spotlights the men and women who shaped the Black experience. This includes Tell Them We are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities (February 16 at 2pm on WXXI-TV);

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2020 promises to be a banner year for anniversaries

By Norm Silverstein ~ Posted Tue, 01/07/2020 - 3:52pm

It’s Susan B. Anthony’s 200th birthday, the 75th year of the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, and the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment (frequently called the Susan B. Anthony Amendment), granting women the right to vote.

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