As you may know, WBAI radio, 99.5 FM, has been a voice for the voiceless in the tri-state area for decades. The station has been on the forefront of covering the most important progressive issues affecting our city. Sadly, the station has undergone dramatic changes, and is losing much of its democratic process. And the problem is not just local.
The Pacifica Network, of which WBAI is a part, is experiencing conservative changes broadly, with programmers of color being fired, progressive news curtailed or trimmed, and many beloved programs removed. Here’s a brief update:
Producers removed
Former program director Bernard White, after 30 years at the station, was fired without due process. Other managers and staff of color around the network have been fired. At WBAI, producers who challenge management have had their shows taken away, and listeners have been banned from the station.
Changing values
In one disturbing case, a humor sketch about the Ku Klux Klan was broadcast over WBAI’s air. WBAI also recently accepted a donation from the “charitable” arm of Goldman Sachs. This was unprecedented. We are gravely concerned that this type of financial support violates the spirit of WBAI’s independent, non-commercial, listener-sponsored programming.
Commercial programming
WBAI’s flagship program, Wake Up Call, had 1/3 of its airtime taken away, with programming from the West Coast filling some of the time. Other community programs were removed, driven out, or moved to late-night, or early-morning, hours. Meanwhile, vitamin entrepreneur Gary Null, after being taken off the air years ago, has returned five days a week. He uses WBAI to promote his own radio network. WBAI pledge drives have started using Null’s nutritional products as premiums, also unprecedented.
Questionable elections
In the most recent election, management sent a letter to listeners, suggesting endorsement of its allies. Many staff ballots were not mailed on time. These actions skewed election results, and potentially prevented a progressive majority from being seated on the Local Station Board.
Little transparency
The current majority on the Local Station Board provides little or no public notice of board and committee meetings, so listeners have less opportunity to get involved and stay informed. Numerous meetings are now held in secret, and many critical financial details are not being released.
Unqualified station management
WBAI’s new general manager is a former insurance-company accountant with no media experience, and little to recommend him beyond his friendship with the current majority on the Local Station Board. He’s overseen a rash of questionable program changes, and punishes those who criticize his decisions.
Aggressive union busting
The important union at WBAI that represents our unpaid producers has been effectively quashed. Workers have been fired without process, and management has refused to meet with the union. This union, through the mechanism of the Program Council, formerly had some programming oversight. Now, management is in complete control, and there are virtually no programming checks and balances.
Get involved
We’d love for you to get involved. The station can only remain strong, can only remain your station, with your involvement:
- Local Station Board meetings are generally the second Wednesday of the month. There’s always public comment
- If you become a station member ($25 donation or 3 hours of volunteering) you can support Justice & Unity candidates
- Join our email list at www.justiceunity.org
Justice & Unity Campaign
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