| Since January 2009, WBAI has been under attack by the Pacifica National Board and WBAI Local Station Board majorities who have terminated or forced out 8 managers and senior staff – all of them Black or Latino – throughout the network. In May 2009, Pacifica summarily fired and banned WBAI’s Program Director Bernard White and removed General Manager Tony Riddle. Community-focused programming has been slashed. Respected thinkers such as Dr. Joy DeGruy (Leary) and Tim Wise are virtually banned. Meanwhile, although the stated reason for removing WBAI management was the station’s large deficit, repeated claims of big revenue gains have proven false. The auditor’s report shows a $1.4 million drop in listener revenue between fiscal years 2008 and 2009. Dissenting on-air voices have been censored, suspended, removed, forced out, and in some cases barred without any process.
With your help, the WBAI Justice and Unity Campaign, a diverse coalition of multi-skilled activist listeners and staff, can return the station to its rightful role as a listener-sponsored, truly independent media outlet that serves vital progressive communities across all race, class, gender, and color lines. If you were a WBAI member between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, look for your ballot in late August. Please vote for all the Justice and Unity candidates, in the recommended ranked order. |
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