PRI Receives MacArthur Grant

CONTACT: Dan Jensen, PRI, 612.330.9212, djensen@pri.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Public Radio International® receives major support from John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

MINNEAPOLIS, May 16, 2008 — Public Radio International (PRI) announces that it has received a three-year $1.2 million grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for general institutional support. PRI will leverage this grant to lead U.S. media by investing in distinctive global journalism and innovative programming, attracting new listeners and bringing new voices and global perspectives to Americans.

PRI President and CEO Alisa Miller says, "We are absolutely honored to receive this endorsement of our transformative vision from the MacArthur Foundation. Each day, we strive to help Americans understand our interconnected world. The grant will significantly enhance our ability to bring in-depth global and cultural content to the daily news cycle — an area of great need in all U.S. media."

Elspeth Revere, MacArthur Foundation's vice president, General Program, adds, "PRI has been breaking new ground in public media for over two decades. With this support, the organization can continue to strengthen U.S. media by helping American listeners better understand ourselves and the rest of the world."

About Public Radio International®

Founded in 1983, Public Radio International leads media by producing, acquiring and distributing innovative content that enables U.S. audiences to "hear a different voice," bringing new voices, global journalism and cultural perspectives to the public airwaves. Through partnerships with BBC World Service and station-based and independent producers, the Minneapolis-based network provides over 400 hours of programming each week to 827 PRI affiliates nationwide, whose radio broadcasts reach over 29 million listeners each week. Podcasts of PRI programs consistently rank in the top U.S. 100. PRI owns Public Interactive LLC, public broadcasting's leading Web services company.

PRI programming includes PRI's "The World," a co-production of BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Radio Boston; "This American Life," produced by Chicago Public Radio®; "Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen®," co-produced by PRI and WNYC®; "The Tavis Smiley Show," produced by Smiley Radio Properties Inc.; "Living on Earth," produced by World Media Foundation Inc.; "Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?®," produced by Wisconsin Public Radio; and the BBC World Service 24-hour program service, produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation. On April 28, 2008, PRI and WNYC will launch "The Takeaway with John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji," a new morning-drive news program co-produced by PRI and WNYC in collaboration with the BBC World Service, the "New York Times" and WGBH Radio Boston. For more information on PRI and its programs and services, visit www.pri.org.