“Civic” Podcast

But Why a Radio Station? Michael Stoll of the Public Press Explains It All

10.17.2019
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San Francisco Public Press Executive Director Michael Stoll talks with Jennifer Waits, who hosts the radio show “Radio Survivor,” about why and how the Public Press launched a low-power FM radio station. 
“We always thought of ourselves as a newspaper based on a public broadcasting model, and now we’re a public broadcaster based on a newspaper based on public broadcasting. We really feel at home in the spirit of it, but the technical and logistical challenges to get a whole radio station set up were enthralling.” — San Francisco Public Press Executive Director Michael Stoll

“Civic” Podcast

Looking Back on First 10 Years of the San Francisco Public Press

10.17.2019
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San Francisco Public Press Executive Director Michael Stoll and Publisher Lila LaHood look back on a decade of working in a nonprofit news operation they founded — including the hurdles they had to overcome to establish nonprofit status for the Public Press — and look to the future. “We are hewing much closer to the ideal of public media, which is to be a public trust, first and foremost, and not try to commoditize the news. You can do different kinds of journalism … if you start out from a place of public service.” —  Michael Stoll, San Francisco Public Press executive director

“Civic” Podcast
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Journalist Reflects on Covering 2015 San Francisco Election

10.14.2019
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Journalist Sara Bloomberg looks back on her coverage of the 2015 San Francisco election and the millions of dollars poured into the campaign, as well as her reporting on the criminalization of homelessness. “Part of handling data in my reporting is to look for errors … there are mistakes, these data sets are human reported. Humans make errors.” — Journalist Sara Bloomberg
 

“Civic” Podcast

Former Public Press Journalist Reflects on Covering S.F. Affordability Crisis

10.10.2019
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Journalist Angela Woodall looks back on her reporting for the Public Press on the deep, but then not immediately visible effects of San Francisco’s affordability crisis, and how campaign ad language made its way into news coverage during the 2015 election. “It comes with the territory of the San Francisco Public Press that whatever reporting you’re doing is going to look beneath the surface and have a much deeper dive on whatever topic it is.” – Journalist Angela Woodall
 

From the Newsroom

The Team That Created KSFP Radio and ‘Civic’

09.16.2019
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The San Francisco Public Press received support and assistance from many people who helped us secure our low-power FM construction permit from the FCC, raise funds for the project, develop the “Civic” show concept and launch the KSFP broadcast on 102.5 FM in San Francisco. More than 60 audiophiles attended our first radio-brainstorming meeting in September 2016. Over time, a small group coalesced into a steering committee withsupporting volunteers. We appreciate everyone who joined us and shared their inspiring ideas. From left: George Koster, Linda Jue, Megan Maurer, John Dillon
In particular, we thank Josh Wilson for encouraging us to apply for the construction permit: We wouldn’t be on air today without his enthusiastic nudging and guidance.

From the Newsroom

“Civic” Launch Party Recap

08.22.2019
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Nearly 100 people joined us Monday, Aug. 19, at the Impact Hub San Francisco to celebrate and learn about “Civic,” our marquee daily show and podcast focusing on local news and public affairs — now broadcasting Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on KSFP 102.5 FM in San Francisco. KSFP – new San Francisco FM radio station launch event
Posted by San Francisco Public Press on Monday, August 19, 2019

 
The evening included a preview of the show and podcast, and introductions to our audio team, including host and reporter Laura Wenus, producer Mel Baker and many of the people who helped us get on the air. Laura interviewed special guests Eugenia Chien, co-founder of Muni Diaries, and Peter Clarke, podcast producer for the transit story sharing community. The conversation was recorded and will be featured in a future episode of “Civic.”
 
Laura Wenus (left) talked with Eugenia Chien and Peter Clarke about the broad assortment of stories they’ve shared via Muni Diaries.

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Introducing the Audio Team

08.09.2019
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To help launch our audio division and low-power FM radio station, we are excited to announce two new additions to the Public Press newsroom. The station’s inaugural news and public affairs program, “Civic,” will be produced by Mel Baker and hosted by Laura Wenus, who bring a breadth of multimedia experience and will lead a team reporting on local policies, culture and ideas. “Civic” will debut this month on your favorite podcast app and on KSFP 102.5 FM in San Francisco. Baker has worked as a national network and Bay Area broadcaster for many decades. From early training in National Public Radio’s newscast unit, to stints in the newsrooms of KGO radio and KTVU-TV, and as a news anchor and reporter at KALW and other Bay Area stations, he has embraced the responsibility of broadcast media to “enlighten and inform” the community.

From the Newsroom

Noah Arroyo Discusses Veritas Lawsuit on “Your Call”

04.05.2019
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Noah Arroyo, assistant editor for the San Francisco Public Press, was a guest this morning on “Your Call” on KALW 91.7 FM. He spoke with host Rose Aguilar about his reporting on a tenant lawsuit against Veritas, one of San Francisco’s biggest landlords. Listen to the conversation here. The segment featuring Noah begins about 37 minutes into the program. Live now on Your Call’s media roundtable: we’re discussing anti-abortion legislation across the country, the Trump administration’s attack on the Title X family planning program, and the impact of the Global Gag Rule on women’s health around the world We will also talk about California’s affordable housing crisis and a lawsuit against Veritas, San Francisco’s biggest landlord.

From the Newsroom

A Decade of Defying Downward Expectations

03.28.2019
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In February 2009, our freshly launched website featured just a handful of stories. So, we were surprised when a reporter from the Wall Street Journal called wanting to know whether the San Francisco Public Press, which was planning to officially launch in March, was going to “replace” the San Francisco Chronicle. Facing falling revenues (it said it lost $50 million the previous year) and a protracted labor dispute, Hearst Corp. said that unless it was able to make steep staff reductions within weeks, it would sell the paper or, if no buyer emerged, close it. The threat earned national headlines, and though the Chronicle remained open for business, it lost many good reporters and editors.