Platform
Fiction vs. Fact
Observing the rhetoric...
Fiction Vs. Fact
Fiction
A partnership with MNN would be a “giveaway” or “lease.”
Fact
In a fixed-term, carefully negotiated partnership with nonprofit Manhattan Neighborhood Network (not “Time Warner”), Pacifica would retain ownership & sign off on overall programming direction.
Fiction
WBAI can go it alone & bootstrap its way out of its longterm financial crisis.
Fact
WBAI lags years behind in embracing podcasting & other Internet advances. To succeed in competition with myriad high-tech media companies, WBAI needs the resources, finances, & youth involvement of a strong community institution like MNN.
Fiction
Indy/ACE opposes the sale or swap of WBAI’s signal.
Fact
Indy/ACE and their national allies took a $3+ million loan, due in 25 months, that explicitly includes the option of selling or swapping a station signal—& WBAI’s is the most valuable. A year has passed without a revenue-raising plan. If their dominance continues, the unacceptable outcome looms. ACE leader Steve Brown has publicly called for selling all 5 Pacifica signals “while they still have value.”
Fiction
Radio stations like WBAI can go it alone.
Fact
WBAI & Pacifica are competing with hundreds of media companies. Internet radio is the fastest growing sector of radio, & many young people don’t even have a radio. WBAI’s webstream can accommodate only a few hundred listeners at a time. Where is the future for WBAI without young listeners?
Platform (2007)
Action Plan for WBAI's Financial Stability and Growth Justice & Unity will engage in joint work with management, staff & listeners on: * A capital campaign to buy our own studio * A grassroots, multi-media publicity campaign to recruit listeners & members...