WPFW

WPFW (89.3 FM) is a talk and jazz music community radio station serving the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It is owned by the Pacifica Foundation, and its studios are located on K Street Northwest.

WPFW
CityWashington, D.C.
Broadcast areaWashington metropolitan area
Frequency89.3 MHz
RDSWPFW89.3
SloganJazz & Justice for 100% of the 99%
Programming
FormatJazz, News/Talk (Public)
AffiliationsPacifica Radio
Ownership
OwnerPacifica Foundation
History
First air date
February 28, 1977 (1977-02-28)
Call sign meaning
Pacifica Foundation Washington
Technical information
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID51255
ClassB
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT125 meters (410 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
38.936°N 77.092°W / 38.936; -77.092
Links
Public license information
Profile
LMS
WebcastListen Live
Websitewpfwfm.org

History

WPFW launched at 8 p.m. on February 28, 1977,[1] with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train."[2] The fifth station in the San Francisco-based Pacific Network, WPFW was different from the other Pacific stations in that it was established as a Black-staffed and -formatted station with a mission to serve as a community radio station for the largely African-American population of Washington, D.C.[3]

The Pacifica Foundation began seeking an FM license in Washington, D.C., as early as 1968, but it was not until 1977 that WPFW won a temporary license.[2] From its launch, WPFW was aggressive in promoting progressive voices and opinions. The station was accused of violating the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to provide time to opposing opinions, and the conservative American Legal Foundation worked to block the station's license renewal in 1981. After a two-year delay, the Federal Communications Commission rejected the ALF's request and renewed the station's license in 1983.[4]

Programming

Aside from syndicated Pacifica programs such as Democracy Now!, much of its programming is locally produced and dedicated to jazz, blues, classic soul music and international or world music.

As a public station, WPFW is commercial-free and listener-sponsored.

References
  1. "Our History". wpfwfm.org. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  2. Lasar, Matthew (2006). Uneasy Listening: Pacifica Radio's Civil War. Cambridge, England: Black Apollo Press. pp. 128–131. ISBN 978-1-900355-45-2. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  3. Barlow, William (1999). Voice Over: The Making of Black Radio. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press. p. x. ISBN 978-1-56639-667-7. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  4. Trescott, Jacqueline (November 11, 1993). "WPFW's License". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. p. C7.


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