© 2025 Wyoming Public Media
800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240
Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of Wyoming
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Transmission & Streaming Disruptions | WYDOT Road Conditions

Institutional Responsibilities Statement

Public broadcasting is rooted in the constitutional guarantees of a free press and free speech. The Federal Radio Act of 1927 defines the basic policy that broadcasters must operate in "the public interest, convenience and necessity." Therefore, the University of Wyoming (UW), like many other universities, holds a broadcast license in trust, and its public broadcasting station(s) serve the public, not the organization that holds such license(s). Wyoming Public Media (WPM) implements the provisions of the license on behalf of UW, and is committed to protecting the integrity of programming, views and editorial content, management, and fiduciary operations. Editorial integrity in this context is defined as the responsible application by professional practitioners of a free and independent decision-making process ultimately accountable to the needs and interests of citizens.

To uphold WPM’s unique autonomy and its ability to operate in the public interest, in 1972 UW approved the creation of a Public Advisory Council based on Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Communications Act Compliance. The purpose of the Council is to advise WPM management and serve as an advocate and community resource.

Public broadcasting stations are subject to a variety of federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements. They are also protected by the first amendment which guarantees a free press and freedom of speech. The judgment of the public on programming depends upon its confidence that that programming is free from undue or improper influence. WPM is committed to maintaining the public's full confidence in the editorial integrity of its news and programming.

As a broadcast unit operating to serve the public, WPM resources (both staff and infrastructure) are dedicated to its use solely and at the discretion of management.

Finally, WPM depends upon funds provided by individual and corporate contributions, and by state and federal taxes. WPM and UW are responsible for assuring the public and public officials that this money is spent in a manner that preserves donor intent and complies with regulatory provisions governing federal and state appropriations. In all fiduciary matters, as the broadcast license holder, UW will be committed to the fiscal independence of public contributions and will operate in service to the public, and not the organization that holds such license(s). Through conformance with sound fiscal and management practices, UW authorizes WPM to implement these principles and responsibilities and to adhere to regulations governing all funding sources.

Among the practical implications which flow from these principles are the following:

  • Programming decisions are the responsibility of station management.
  • Selection and treatment of news is the responsibility of the station news staff as per guidelines set by management.
  • Station management is responsible for ascertaining community "interest, convenience, and necessity" in relation to programming.
  • Allocation of donor-generated funds is the responsibility of station management.
  • Appropriation of staff and infrastructure resources is the responsibility of station management and subject to WPM approval.

This policy is a confirmation of the journalistic, programming, operational independence of WPM. It is based upon the historic independence of public broadcasting as articulated in the” Statement of Principles of Editorial Integrity in Public Broadcasting" prepared by the Editorial Integrity Project, sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This policy is a confirmation of the broadcaster's commitment to the public. This policy is UW’s commitment as the license holder to create the structure that allows WPM to broadcast in the public’s interest.