WBHM, public radio for the heart of Alabama, is a reliable source of independent, fact-based journalism and public affairs programming across broadcast and online platforms. Free from political and commercial influence, we explore the diverse interests of greater Birmingham and Alabama and tell stories relevant to the lives of people here. We reflect and lead conversations in our communities to inform people and encourage their civic engagement.
As an NPR member station, we recognize the quality and integrity our audience expects from WBHM and its journalists. Our newsroom makes its decisions independently from WBHM’s business and fundraising operations.
These standards apply to all employees of WBHM and independent contractors who report, edit, produce or supervise the production of content across WBHM’s platforms and social media channels. Likewise, in editorial collaborations with other organizations, we require that our partners embrace these values.
WBHM’s staff are employees of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and follow its Code of Conduct. WBHM’s employees also abide by the standards encompassed in the NPR Ethics Handbook. This includes exercising careful judgment about actions in our personal lives that could jeopardize WBHM’s reputation for editorial independence. Above all, we seek to avoid conflicts of interest and are mindful of and transparent about connections and relationships that could create the appearance of journalistic impropriety.
Our ethical standards extend well beyond the newsroom into every aspect of operations at WBHM.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham holds the FCC broadcast license of WBHM and is responsible for the station’s management, operations, and the fidelity of its broadcast signal. UAB is proud to support this public service for the people of Alabama.
Upholding these principles is the shared responsibility of WBHM’s management and employees, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the station’s financial supporters (individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and grant-making foundations), and its advisory boards and volunteers. In exchange for their support, UAB, other sponsors of WBHM programming, and volunteers to the station’s boards should not – and cannot – expect to exert influence on WBHM’s journalists and its independent editorial process.