KJZZ

U.S. center-left (public radio)

Background

KJZZ traces its origins to 1951, when it signed on as KFCA from the campus of Phoenix College, then part of the Phoenix Union High School District. The station passed through several call-sign changes—including KMCR from 1972 to 1985—before becoming KJZZ and affiliating with NPR. Ownership moved to the Maricopa County Community College District, and the station eventually became a Rio Salado College operation, relocating to the college's Tempe campus in 2002. Funding has historically been lean from the college district, making listener support and CPB grants central to operations. In 2010, KJZZ joined a $2 million CPB-funded Local Journalism Center called Fronteras: The Changing America Desk, a collaboration with KPBS, AZPM, and Texas Public Radio focused on immigration and border issues. Media analysts, including Media Bias/Fact Check, rate the station left-center in story selection while noting a strong factual reporting record. Its journalism has earned national recognition, including a National Headliner Award for investigative work.

Sources

1. KJZZ (FM) — Wikipedia
2. KJZZ 91.5 FM: A history of Phoenix's NPR member station
3. KJZZ – NPR – Phoenix: Bias and Credibility — Media Bias/Fact Check
4. About KJZZ
5. Rio Salado College National Headliner Award (KJZZ)

Profile compiled 2026-08-26; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.

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