© 2024 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
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Mission & History

MISSION

JPR feeds the human intellectual and creative spirit of Southern Oregon and Northern California communities striving to build a diverse community of informed citizens through fact-based journalism and programs that stimulate civic discourse, inspire community engagement, celebrate music and foster the art of storytelling.

HISTORY

Jefferson Public Radio's flagship station, KSOR, was established in 1969 on the campus of Southern Oregon University (SOU) in Ashland, Oregon. From a tiny 10-watt station, KSOR evolved to become a regional public radio service reaching over 1 million potential listeners in a 60,000-square-mile area of Southern Oregon and Northern California via one of the largest networks of transmitters and translators in public radio.

This network now goes by the name Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), making reference to the mythical State of Jefferson, which roughly corresponds to the listening area served by JPR. JPR is owned and operated by Southern Oregon University and extends the University's educational mission by promoting lifelong learning and fostering the intellectual growth and civic engagement of the region.

JPR broadcasts radio programming that is not available via commercial media.  This programming seeks to:

  • Enhance the quality of community dialogue about regional, state, national and international civic issues by presenting in-depth, fact-based news and public affairs programming.
  • Make available music that otherwise would not be available on the radio. JPR is the primary source of classical music, jazz, world music, folk and blues in the region it serves.
  • Provide cultural programming that celebrates the human experience. Programs like This American Life, The Moth Radio Hour, Radiolaband The Ted Radio Hour reflect the American experience in a way that is valuable to our culture.

In 1975, the KSOR Listeners' Guild was formed as an affiliate of what was then known as the Southern Oregon College Foundation.  In 1997, a new non-profit organization was formed called the JPR Foundation dedicated exclusively to raising funds to support JPR's mission and service to the community.  The JPR Foundation enjoys tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and is governed by a Board of Directors which oversees its activities.

JPR is a member of National Public Radio, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Western States Public Radio, the Northwest News Network, and is an affiliate of PRX, American Public Media, Native Voice One and the Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network.