PUBLIC FORM: KPFA/Pacifica - Democracy Deferred?
WHEN: Wednesday, November 10, 7-9:00 pm
WHERE: La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley
Panelists are:
SOLANGE ECHEVERIA Flashpoints, moderator
RIVA ENTEEN Chair, KPFA Local Station Board
MARIA GILARDIN former KPFA Development Director, Co-founder, Take Back KPFA
BILL MANDEL 37 year programmer fired for violating KPFA's gag rule
GERALD SANDERS KPFA Local Station Board and Pacifica National Board
SUSAN STONE KPFA Director of Arts and Humanities Programming
JAMES E. VANN community and political activist, long time listener
(Organizations listed for ID purposes only)
The historic victory achieved by KPFA listeners hangs in the balance. Once again, listeners must come to the rescue. A panel of the "banned and fired," current programmers, board members and community members, followed by an open-mike session, will address questions and propose solutions to protect the nation's only independent radio network.
In 1999, 10,000 people poured into the streets of Berkeley to defend KPFA, Pacifica Network's flagship radio station, from a corporate take-over. As a result, a court settlement was reached, which established elected governing boards. However, the struggle for democratization, which requires transparency and accountability, is far from over.
To solidify our victory, we must address these questions:
How do we put the community back into community radio?
Is station management listening to the listeners?
Is our elected board showing the leadership we need?
What went wrong with the General Manager hiring process?
Is KPFA really "free speech radio"?
How does our mission inform our news coverage and public affairs programming?
What about the "banned and fired?"
Is it time to take back KPFA again?
What's happening at other Pacifica stations?