PNB Meeting - Jan 2007 - Executive Director Report
Page 4 of 11
PROGRAMMING
GOALS
Bring diverse voices and excellent local production to new audiences A relevant
and popular voice for political change and social transformation
The adoption of a National Programming Policy was an important step, but it
will take time to change local programming in a fundamental way or to overcome
the current skepticism about national initiatives. Although Pacifica has developed
successful national programs in the past, its two main offerings at the moment
– Democracy Now! and Free Speech Radio News – are the result of
contractual relationships. A general need to develop and distribute “our
own” national programs has been expressed, yet a limited series this fall
met some resistance, mainly centering on the process that should be used and
who should be involved.
Network Programming Coordinator
Pacifica decided to create the position of Network Programming Coordinator
more than a year ago, but the hiring process was postponed until the new National
Programming Policy and a job description could be developed and approved by
the Pacifica National Board. That process was completed last summer.
In November, after forming a search committee, reviewing more than 30 applications,
and interviewing six candidates, I agreed with the committee’s selection
of Nathan Moore, previously news and public affairs facilitator at WORT-FM in
Madison, Wisconsin. The hiring process took five months. Moore’s previous
experience includes serving as News Director at WWVU in West Virginia and both
engineering and programming work for WORT, a Pacifica affiliate. In 2006, he
was a key organizer of the Grassroots Radio Conference held in Madison.
Guided by Pacifica’s mission, Moore will play a key role in implementing
the new policy and coordinating production and distribution resources, including
affiliate stations, Free Speech Radio News, the Pacifica Radio Archives, the
D.C. news bureau, technical and web staff, and station news and public affairs
departments.
FSRN Agreement
A one-year agreement between Pacifica and Free Speech Radio News (FSRN) was
approved by the PNB and signed in October. It covers the production and distribution
of the half-hour daily newscast and affirms a commitment “to establish
terms that will allow for the integration of Free Speech Radio News within Pacifica”
within the next year. Pacifica will continue to distribute the program to its
existing affiliates. Any new affiliates added during the year will be Pacifica
affiliates. FSRN will include in its daily newscast a statement indicating that
it is brought to listeners by Pacifica Radio or that major funding is provided
by the Pacifica Foundation.
Specifically, the agreement says that Pacifica and FSRN will examine the use
of infrastructure and develop procedures for cooperation on programming other
than the newscast; explore joint fund raising, agree to a specific fundraising
plan that will be developed collaboratively by the designees of each organization,
and meet regularly to determine how FSRN can be integrated into Pacifica as
a new unit
In addition, FSRN will work with Pacifica’s Human Resources Director
and others to bring the bylaws used by FSRN into compliance with California
labor law and resolve differences between those bylaws and Pacifica’s
personnel policies and procedures. The agreement also says that Pacifica will
assist FSRN with fundraising to help meet production expenses, and ensure that
stations provide facilities (office, equipment, and studio time) for the production
of the program defined in the agreement.
National Programming Initiatives
Informativo Pacifica:
After an extended development process discussions with station management
over several months, this program began airing on KPFK (which had developed
it) and KPFT. In the Fall, WBAI picked it up, and it has since started airing
on at least 11 affiliates. WPFW has been "in the process" of working
the program into "Latin Flavor" for several months. The new
IPD at KPFA has said that an evaluation of the program is underway, but as
yet no commitment to carriage has been made. "Informativo Pacifica"
incorporates reports from throughout the world, featuring an international
group of volunteers from the US and other countries. A headlines segment is
followed by public affairs segments and interviews. It is heard in northern,
central and southern Mexico, and in the Cauca region of Colombia.
From the Vault:
This program was initiated by the Pacifica Radio Archives, and currently
airs on three Pacifica stations and a number of affiliates. The concept is
to promote the broadcast history of Pacifica stations. There was no national
launch, but the program has been gaining recognition. The voices have included
Alice Walker, John Lithgow, June Jordan, Alan Watts, Jim Morrison, and Peace
Pilgrim, and the topics have ranged from fast food nation, The Satanic Verses,
Emma Goldman, and the George Carlin FCC case to the 1982 Israel-Lebanon War.
Informed Dissent:
Over 50 people from 16 states participated in this 10 week series,
which focused on the congressional elections and related issues. The format
incorporated people from sister stations, while also showcasing staff and
volunteers from affiliate stations, to create a “magazine-style”
program. The response to “Informed Dissent” was generally quite
positive, but there was little promotion, and due to the local decision-making
process, little way to let the public know when to tune in. At this point,
there is no plan to continue it on a weekly basis. We did receive a proposal
from the production group for four monthly specials -- on habeas corpus, race,
women, and the environment. But when this was discussed at a staff meeting,
some managers argued that local stations could produce such special programming,
and expressed reluctance to keeping the show going. Managers were
asked to develop and submit proposals for such specials, but none have been
received to date.
In the future, any ongoing program on which national programming funds are
expended should receive a viable, stable spot on the schedule of each Pacifica
station, and get the promotion it deserves. This applies equally to both “From
the Vault” and, pending an assessment of content and format, “Informativo
Pacifica.” (4)
Habeas Corpus Coverage:
In November, at the urging of the PNB, I issued an editorial statement on
this issue. (see Appendix A) In passing its motion, the PNB voted for additional
follow up, initiatives such as having the text of the editorial on various
websites, related programming to be developed locally, the airing of five
minute weekly updates from the Center for Constitutional Rights, and station
broadcasts of statements by local or national experts on a rotating basis.
The response has been inconsistent.
KPFT aired the statement and placed it on a website. However, initial contact
with CCR didn’t appear to go anywhere. WBAI also aired the statement,
and the CCR updates, which emanate from that station, were incorporated in cart
rotation. There was some initial discussion in New York about having
a Teach-in in conjunction with CCR prior to the next fund drive.
KPFK and KPFA also aired the statement several times. Three stations (WPFW,
KPFK, and KPFT) indicated some interest in carrying the CCR's
five-minute weekly updates. Others agreed to review the material. I would
describe the response as cautiously supportive, but definitely not that enthusiastic.
One way to insure that constitutional rights remain on the front
burner at Pacifica is to make ongoing coverage of the issues involved a
national editorial priority. The simplest way to do that, at least at this
time, is to make Law and Disorder a national program. I've asked managers
to consider that, but the response so far indicates the usual institutional
resistance to establishing and implementing national editorial priorities,
possibly because that would require dislodging an existing program.
Recent Specials
Pacifica Radio Archives:
Voices for Peace and Non-Violence. The Archives Fund Drive was carried
on all Pacifica stations on Nov. 28-29. Highlights included the premier of
“The Ballad of Pete Seeger,” a radio documentary celebrating his
life and times; a new recording of Pete in conversation with Tim Robbins;
and much more. $256,619 was raised in two days. In addition, PRA Director Brian
DeShazor and Preservation and Access Coordinator Adi Gevins testified
before the National Recorded Sound Preservation Board of the Library of Congress
at a public hearing.
Election 2006:
The Fight for Congress. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Produced by KPFA Brian Edwards-Tiekert
and hosted by Larry Bensky, Amelia Gonzales-Garcia, Verna Avery Brown, and
Mitch Jeserich, this national special included returns every half hour, reports
from election events, and reporters filing live from battleground districts.
The Gates Hearing:
National special coverage of the Secy. of Defense confirmation hearing on
Dec. 5. KPFA again took the lead, the special was carried by four of
the five sister stations -- KPFA, KPFK, KPFT, and WBAI -- and received
favorable reviews.
Media Reform Conference:
Pacifica had a strong presence at the Media Reform Conference held in Memphis,
TN Jan. 12-14. A proposal was developed by KPFT staff, in conjunction with
production personnel at WBAI, Affiliates Coordinator Ursula Ruedenberg, and
DC Bureau Chief Verna Avery Brown. Coverage included live feeds
of the Friday plenary and Saturday keynote, recorded wrap up, and recording
of selected speeches and workshops for collection to the Pacifica Radio Archives.
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