WHY WBAI SHOULD MATTER!
Even in its current state, many think that WBAI radio, 99.5 FM, has more to offer than the advertising-driven or heavily underwritten programming of other broadcasters. However, the “free speech” station that has given voice to the otherwise voiceless in the tri-state area for five decades has under-gone dramatic changes, and is losing much of its democratic process. The bankruptcy sale of Black radio ownership pioneer Inner City Broadcasting (WBLS and WLIB) to an investment company and the leasing of KISS-FM to ESPN decrease information and discussion outlets for area communities. These losses emphasize the need to reverse the backward moves at WBAI.
Since 2009, the Pacifica Network, of which WBAI is a part, has experienced problematic changes, with programmers fired without process, progressive news curtailed or trimmed, and many valuable community-oriented programs removed. This happened after a New York-based group called “ACE” used deception to win the WBAI board majority, and then – with their allies at other stations – took over the Pacifica National Board.
Here’s a partial update from behind the mic:
Harmful programming changes
WBAI’s flagship program, Wake Up Call, a key source of education on local issues, had 1/3 of its airtime taken away, replaced by national programming. Other programs, including some serving Black and Latino communities, were removed, driven out, or moved to late-night or early-morning hours. Meanwhile, AIDS-denialist vitamin entrepreneur Gary Null returned to 5 days a week where he uses WBAI to promote his Internet radio network. And even after he sued his vitamin producer for nearly killing him and others, WBAI has used Null’s nutritional products as premiums. Selling consumable merchandise is unprecedented. Frantic to shore up flagging finances, management has also used as premiums DVDs produced by right-wing “anti-elitists” – such as Lyndon LaRouche-ites. In another disturbing case, a humor sketch about the KKK was aired on WBAI.
Staff disappeared
After 30 years at WBAI, Program Director Bernard White was fired without due process. Other managers and staff of color around the network were also purged. At WBAI, producers who challenged management abuse, likethe late activist-poet Louis Reyes Rivera, were fired. Some, like the lateKamau Khalfani, were fired and banned. Several listeners were also banned, including the man who fell when an ACE-affiliated board member deliberate-ly pulled a chair from under him. (Pacifica settled his lawsuit for $20,000.)
Aggressive union busting
WBAI management has destroyed the unpaid producers’ union. Workers have been fired without process; management has refused to meet with the shop stewards. Management has cast aside the contract-mandated Program Council that gave producers input into programming decisions. Nationally, Pacifica hired the infamous union-busting law firm, Jackson Lewis, and only agreed to phase them out after a mass letter-writing campaign.
Unqualified station management
WBAI’s general manager, Berthold Reimers, is a former health insurance company executive with no media experience, picked due to his friendship with ACE members. He’s overseen a rash of arbitrary program changes, violated station hiring policy, and punished critics of his decisions.
Questionable elections
In the last Local Station Board (LSB) election, Reimers sent listeners a letter suggesting endorsement of cronies, and was responsible for many staff ballots being sent out late. Thus, he seriously skewed the election results.
Little transparency
The current LSB majority provides little or no public notice of board meetings, so listeners have less opportunity to be involved and informed. Critical financial details are being hidden. Pacifica has appropriated staff pension contributions and allowed health insurance coverage to lapse. Two Town Hall meetings are mandated each year; none has been held in 3 years.
WBAI Justice & Unity Campaign www.justiceunity.org
(212) 591-2111 * Join our email list: info@justiceunity.org
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