Alan Siporin

For more than ten years Alan Siporin was National Public Radio's primary reporter for Oregon stories, informing a national audience about numerous issues, including the fight for the ancient forests, anti-war efforts, gay rights struggles and hate crimes. He served as NPR's analyst during President Clinton's Forest Summit. Later, Alan’s commentaries aired on NPR as well. He's written for the New York Times and wrote a regular editorial column for The Eugene Weekly. Alan served as moderator for Oregon's Gubernatorial Debate in 1994 and has moderated numerous community forums.

For more than twenty years Alan hosted local talk shows, providing access for progressive voices. He received more than one hundred awards for his writing, reporting, commentaries, and interviewing. His award winning reporting from Nicaragua provided a rare, accurate glimpse into Ronald Reagan’s contra war. Both the ACLU and NAACP  presented Alan with awards in recognition of his significant service to the community. He is one of only two recipients of the Tom McCall Award, presented by the Associated Press for exceptional environmental reporting.

His novel, Fire’s Edge, was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award, and  was selected for Readin’ in the Rain 2003, following Ken Kesey’s selection in 2002. Students at Springfield High, North Eugene, Churchill and other area schools, as well as students at the University of Oregon and Portland State read Fire’s Edge, generating numerous discussions on racism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia.

In Nebraska, in the 1960’s Alan organized for civil rights and against the Vietnam War.