Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is a nonprofit news organisation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its portfolio spans radio, print and digital publishing: WBEZ 91.5FM, the city's premier NPR news station and a charter member of National Public Radio since 1970; the Chicago Sun-Times, the newspaper acquired in 2022 and long noted for investigative and political reporting; and Vocalo, an urban alternative music station. Alongside its broadcast and print output, the organisation produces popular podcasts and runs digital media platforms, covering local, national and international news.

The combined reach is substantial: more than 3.3m people a week across broadcast, print and digital. The Chicago Sun-Times has won eight Pulitzer Prizes, and WBEZ is known for award-winning journalism. As of 2022 the organisation was the largest nonprofit local news organisation in the nation. Founded in 1943, it works across radio broadcasting, print and digital publishing, podcast production and public media distribution, with a national presence through the NPR network.

Chicago Public Media is funded principally by its audience: over 90% of its revenue comes from members and listeners. Its stated purpose is to strengthen democracy through independent local journalism. Work is carried out in Chicago and reaches audiences nationally.