PNB Meeting - Jan 2007 - Executive Director Report

Executive Director’s Report
January 2007

CONTENTS

Overview
Initial Goals and Assessment
Duties & Activities
Programming
Licensing & Distribution
Station Issues
Governance
Vision, Goals, & Objectives

Since the Pacifica National Board meeting held in September 2006, two significant hiring decisions have been made: an Interim General Manager for WBAI and a Network Programming Coordinator. The expectations are that a new General Manager can implement a needed recovery plan and overcome political stalemate at the network’s New York station, while a coordinator for national programming, guided by the National Programming Policy adopted in October, can promote effective collaboration in developing special broadcasts, programs and segments produced locally for wider distribution, and fresh, engaging national programs.

In the Fall, Pacifica also held elections for Local Station Boards. Although there were glitches and complaints, all stations reached quorum, with 9,684 listeners and 404 staff members across the country participating, out of a total of 84,244 listener members and 1,160 staff, paid and unpaid. This means that nationwide 11.5% of listeners and almost 35% of staff cast votes. At WBAI, listener turnout hit 16.5%; at KPFA, it was 15.5%.

Looking farther back, here are some highlights from the past year:

• Pacifica’s affiliate network surpassed 100 stations, work began to transform our infrastructure to meet the challenges of the digital age, and “From the Vault,” a new national program highlighting our broadcast history, began to air.
• Early in 2006, corporate media ignored the groundswell mounting against the Bush Administration and the War in Iraq. Pacifica didn’t, airing testimony by the war’s victims and special coverage on May 1 when immigrants marched to demand their rights.
• The FCC announced that it would accept new applications for non-commercial radio licenses for the first time in more than a decade. In response, Pacifica joined forces with other independent media in the Radio for People campaign, recruiting local groups and helping them apply for these frequencies.
• In the summer, we launched “Informativo Pacifica,” a long-anticipated daily Spanish language newscast that brings together correspondents from across the Americas, reaching out to a growing audience eager for progressive news and information. 
• In the fall, Pacifica produced “Informed Dissent,” a ten-week series drawing on the talents of people throughout Pacifica – and beyond – to cover the Fall Congressional elections.  Carried on dozens of stations, it focused on key races and examined how corporate power, race, class, and the media influence the electoral process.