[GPSCC-chat] KPFA in Danger!

[Gerry Gras]

I know nothing about this except what is in the email
below.  If anyone has more info, I would like to hear
it.  Others on the list probably would too.  It appears
to be a rather serious problem.

Greg Jan agrees with the writer, Akio Tanaka, on this.

Gerry


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Please post ASAP!: Help Keep KPFA Community Radio - Become a
Voting Member Before June 30!
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:26:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Greg Jan


-------- Forwarded Message --------



Dear Fellow Greens (and allies),



I need your help in the coming days to help secure the future of a vital
media organization: KPFA radio. As you know, a small number of
corporations now control most of the media, and even “public” media like
NPR fail to challenge the dominance of corporations and the military
machine. I'm proud to be associated with KPFA, an institution that does
stand uncompromisingly for peace and social justice.



Since KPFA's 1999 crisis was resolved, the station has been governed by
a Local Station Board (LSB) elected primarily by subscribers. Having an
elected board makes KPFA a more democratic organization than most other
media. However, in recent elections, there's been a close struggle
between advocates of preserving KPFA's status as a community-based
institution, versus those who want to make the station more like NPR,
and dilute its progressive voice. I and my allies on the Board belong to
an alliance called Independents for Community Radio (ICR).



Our opponents in recent elections have called themselves the “Concerned
Listeners.” Now they've dropped that title and are using a new name,
“Save KPFA.” Little wonder they've changed their name this year, given
their record. While they held a majority on the LSB in 2008 and 2009:



- They ratified budgets that let KPFA operate in the red, quickly
depleting a six-figure cash reserve that had taken years to build.



- They stubbornly backed an inept General Manager who lost a $375,000
donation by letting the check go undeposited.



- When Berkeley Police attacked and injured a KPFA volunteer on station
premises, they reacted by blaming the victim and blocked a Board
investigation.



- They supported an attempt to break the Unpaid Staff Organization, the
only collective representation for KPFA's volunteer staff (who produce
the majority of the station's programs).



- They tout “professionalism,” but ignore the many outstanding programs
created by unpaid community-based programmers, such as Africa Today,
Guns & Butter, Pushing Limits and Bay Native Circle. Nor have they
supported the paid staff who create Flashpoints and Hard Knock Radio.



In short, “Save KPFA” won't abide by their name, because they're
undermining the qualities that make KPFA great. What KPFA needs to be
saved from ..... is them!



The group that I support, Independents for Community Radio, recognizes
that good radio need not be “professional;” we support the numerous
excellent programs produced by volunteers (such as La Onda Bajita,
Voices of the Middle East, and many more). We want to see a Board and a
management that will promote unity between the paid staff and unpaid
staff, instead of trying to divide them. And we stand for responsible
budgeting, to keep KPFA on the air despite the dismal economy. Our 2010
team of candidates will be assembled soon; in the meantime, to read more
about us, see our 2009 campaign site, www.indyradio2009.org
<http://www.indyradio2009.org/>.



Last year we won a slim majority on the Board, and the station is now in
the process of hiring a new General Manager. But there's much more work
to be done. Please help us by supporting ICR in this year's election. If
you've subscribed to KPFA since last July, you'll be eligible to vote in
this year's election. If not, please subscribe now! June 30 is the
deadline to subscribe in time to vote. A basic annual membership is only
$25 - go to www.kpfa.org <http://www.kpfa.org/> to subscribe with a
credit card (if you mail a check, it must arrive by June 30 at KPFA,
1929 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704.)



Thank you,



Akio Tanaka

Member, KPFA Local Station Board

County Council member, Green Party of Alameda County