[lbo-talk] re: KPFA, Chomsky, parochialism etc.

[Joseph Wanzala]

All three are regular guests on Pacifica programs and Pacifica sponsored 
events. Furthermore, Pacifica affiliate stations like WMBR in Boston carry 
Pacifica programming. Pacifica is a well established progressive institution 
whose reach and influence extends far beyond just who listens to it. These 
three people have obviously taken the time, along with people like Michael 
Albert of Z Magazine (who has written extensively on the Pacifica crisis 
over the years) to educate themsleves about a crisis at an important 
progressive institution, even if it is not one that is not their back yard. 
Finally it is worth noting that this letter was written in the midst of a 
national crisis during which Pacifica activists reached out to progressives 
like Chomsky et al who are not necessarily in Pacifica listening areas 
because the importance of Pacifica, which you have acknowledged, transcends 
parochial concerns. (and many people listen on-line, indeed when the phones 
are opened to listeners, calls come in from all over the country - and even 
the world - as is the case on NPR programs like Talk of the Nation).

Joe W.


>From: Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com>
>Reply-To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
>To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
>Subject: RE: [lbo-talk] Re: KPFA etc.
>Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 15:28:08 -0400
>
>Since you think my 15 years around WBAI aren't enough to know what's going 
>on, how are these three people, who don't even live in a Pacifica station's 
>signal area, qualified to comment? And how are the listeners qualified to 
>vote for the local station boards if it requires deep immersion in the 
>history and minutiae?
>
>Doug
>
>
>Joseph Wanzala wrote:
>
>>http://www.radio4all.org/fp/heroes.htm
>>
>>Noam Chomsky, Ed Herman and Howard Zinn to Pacifica Board:
>>Reject Corporate Models, Commit to Democratic Forms of Governance
>>__________________________________________________________________________________
>>
>>February 24, 1999
>>
>>
>>Dr. Mary Berry, Chair
>>Pacifica Foundation
>>1929 Martin Luther King Way
>>Berkeley, CA 94704
>>
>>As long-time admirers and supporters of Pacifica, we are troubled by 
>>apparent tendencies toward increased centralization of power and 
>>decision-making that bring Pacifica closer to the private corporate model. 
>>Pacifica's strength and legitimacy grew from the knowledge and confidence 
>>of its listeners that it was based and directed from within their 
>>respective communities and spoke to their interests. Its service as an 
>>educational resource as well as a vital outlet for journalism in the 
>>public interest arose from its refusal to focus on market share in the 
>>corporate mode.
>>
>>With the question of the mode of governance at issue in the forthcoming 
>>board meeting, we would strongly urge the board to celebrate Pacifica's 
>>50th birthday by a firm commitment to democratic forms of governance and 
>>participation. We can think of no better way to honor a half century of 
>>listener-sponsored radio than by strong endorsement of the principles that 
>>made it possible and successful.
>>
>>                          Sincerely,
>>
>>                         Noam Chomsky,
>>              Massachusetts Institute of Technology
>>
>>                         Edward S. Herman
>>                    University of Pennsylvania
>>
>>                          Howard Zinn
>>                       Boston University
>>
>>
>>___________________________________
>>http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
>
>___________________________________
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