St. Louis Public Radio, St. Louis Beacon Mull News Alliance

Alliance?

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS noncommercial KWMU (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO)/ST. LOUIS has signed a non-binding letter of intent with online nonprofit news site the ST. LOUIS BEACON to form a news alliance.  The parties plan to look into further combining their news resources, saying in the letter that they can "serve St. Louisans better together than they can separately."  KWMU and the BEACON have previously shared a WASHINGTON news bureau founded by the BEACON and are partners with the NINE NETWORK OF PUBLIC MEDIA in "Beyond NOVEMBER," an election coverage project.  Negotiations are expected to conclude by the beginning of 2013.

ST. LOUIS BEACON Editor MARGARET WOLF FREIVOGEL said, “By combining talents and resources, our organizations will again make this region a national leader in journalism that serves the community."

KWMU GM TIM EBY added, “We see the digital revolution as a historic opportunity to further establish St. Louis as a leader in journalism innovation.  As we plan together, the core idea that will guide us is the question ‘Will this help us better serve the community?’”

“It’s exciting to explore an alliance of two independent news organizations that each possess extraordinary strength, caliber and commitment to the community,” said RICHARD K. WEIL JR., Chairman of the Board of the BEACON. “I see tremendous benefit for our region and communities across the country in our collaboration.”

“ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO and the BEACON individually provide robust coverage of the issues and news important to the St. Louis region,” said UMSL Chancellor THOMAS GEORGE. “Their collective efforts will enhance the region’s journalistic landscape – expanding the news and information available to St. Louisans and learning opportunities for UMSL students in emerging and traditional media.”

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