KPFT Notes

3:46: Moore begins national program coordinator report.

3:56: Hauptman says she encourages more training about the network. Reimers asks about overall programming. Moore notes he’s toured all the stations, and that prioritizing visions is key.

4:01: Davis asks about ties to community, and NPC to PDs. Moore says his role is coordination primarily.

4:04: Cook says he’s pleased that a young person like Moore is involved. Asks a question about youth. Moore says that youth are often generating content for each other, and that, while we have good things to say, speaking to the demographic is challenging.

4:09: Bethune says she hopes Pacifica doesn’t get so wrapped up in policy. LaForrest asks about role of NPC. Moore says processes build on spirit of relationships with PDs.

end

Notes from Pacifica National Board meeting, April 21, 2007:

10:35: Lederer asks about calls to action to events. Crigler responds to both many aspects. FCC concerns involving a call to action include supporting/opposing a political candidate; considerations such as in urging people to buy items. Gives example of Korean-language station sued for mentioning youths who went to a store claiming a need for defense and being injured. May not cover demonstrations or events, but there is a concern for liability. Siegel says whether a station could be sued by someone injured at something urged from a station is a matter of tort law. Risk is greater if we expose listeners to an event where we know violence or other matters will take place.

10:44: Rawline asks if it’s okay to make announcements, but not encouraging people to attend. Crigler says responsibility is key, and that he is reluctant to write policy on the fly. Siegel says there is no liability to announcing something, and “virtually no” liability to urging them to go. Specific prohibitio, attorneys agree, is about buying item if one is paid.

10:48: Williams asks about calling senators. Crigler says such calls are considered grassroots lobbying. Stations are precluded from supporting/opposing candidates and lobbying. Williams follows up with comment about how much calls to action were part of the stations.

10:51: Hauptman asks about writing policies. Crigler says such a policy is needed.

10:55: Berg says the issue of choice of language. Asks if IRS could simply come after Pacifica for any reason; does payola include giving of CDs? Crigler says payola is more of a practical matter, one of due diligence.

11:02: Cook says he’s concerned about non-profit status as well as payola. Crigler replies that payola is a vague set of laws and focused on big-money issues. Challenge, he says, is in scale;

11:07: Randhawa asks about policies and management. Crigler says his goal is not to undercut staff in doing the day-to-day work.

11:11: Byrd asks about indecency.  Crigler gives background on the

11:17: Hauptman asks about whether a non-profit has to be the one to do a PSA. Crigler notes need for due diligence.

11:18: KPFA GM Rijio says current policy is still in effect until it’s been revised. Matter of administrative discretion is important.

end

Attorney John Crigler is here now, talking about digital distribution. I hope to liveblog the morning session for listeners.

1:33: National Program Coordinator Nathan Moore introduces Pacifica staff in attendance, and talks about the importance of a programming summit, which happened Thursday.

!:35: Greg Guma credits Bernard White with programming summit idea. Discusses agenda process and “step, not a conclusion.

1:38: Moore talks about ways to build the network. Specifically, content, evaluations, future, etc.

1:40: Issues and content. Topics of interest included race, immigration, environment. Discussed news collaborations and formats to be prioritized. Moore says there is a strong desire for thoughtful content, dialogue and debate, as well as investigative work. Moore also mentions efforts on a national programming calendar.

1:44: Armando Gudino (KPFK PD) talks about need to collaborate. Other PDs are brought up to discuss programming summit.

1:48: Sasha Lilley (KPFA PD), Bernard White (WBAI PD), Bobby Hill (WPFW PD) and Ernesto Aguilar (KPFT PD) discuss various aspects of the programming summit, including evaluations, decisionmaking, must-carry and more. Among the main points was creating a national working group of PDs to develop evaluation processes nationally as tools for stations and affiliates.

2:05: Moore discusses must-carry, and suggests defining it as collaborative carry. Encouraging more use of Audioport and better communication are key to this; Moore says there are staff concerns about board-initiated must-carry efforts. Moore adds he hopes to see a best practices document for the board to understand programming needs.

2:10: Q&A, Woodson asks whether discussions occured about HD (Woodson), must-carry (Byrd). KPFT GM Duane Bradley says the challenge is often dealing with differences between governance and programming. Eva Georgia (KPFK GM) encourages collaborative relations, forward planning, mapping out review of issues that allow us to be newsmakers rather than following the mainstream media. “If we are the drivers of programming and know where we’re going, the issue of must-carry becomes null and void… When do we inspire people by telling the stories?”

2:22: WBAI GM Robert Scott Adams asks where is the movement to ask why people pay three dollars for gas. “As long as you trust our PDs to do their jobs, a must-carry becomes more of a collaborative effort anyway… There people work very hard. As long as we allow them to do their jobs, must-carry becomes less of an issue.”

2:24: WPFW GM Ron Pinchback says staff can collaborate without must-carry and the board will get support, but should incorporate the staff in decisions.

2:27: Moore wraps up, noting desire for news directors’ teleconference; how to add national programming and take local programs national. He says the discussion was valuable and wants to allow PDs to meet twice yearly.

2:28: Begin Q&A.

2:29: Bethune says followthrough is not happening from staff, thus must-carry. “Sometimes you all don’t do your part, and that’s why we’re here.” Says board is not attempting to dictate day-to-day, but staffing and equipment are needed. “Instead of telling us you don’t want must-carry, tell us what you need to make sure we can do breaking news.”

2:31: Lane expresses disappointment. DN was must-carry, he points out. “We’re not a network unless there’s a way to put something on that is important to the nation.”

2: 34: Byrd asks if consideration was given to what could be a collaborative carry?

2:35: Williams asks what goals were set in the process.

2:37: Berg says board is not here to be a PAC for various issues. “Our role should be to inform.” There is a balance, but there is a community interest. Local communities are critical.

2:39: Davis says she is not in favor of must-carry, but notes the board is sometimes passionate about issues.

2:41: Woodson says he heard a transcendental discussion. Feels there needs to be a process in place.

2:42: Brazon says she heard no alternatives, and requests an internal process be put together.

2:44: Robbins says he’s optimistic about discussion. Concerned that GMs could interfere in the positive message put forth by PDs.

2:45: Randhawa says he is optimistic.

2:47: LaForrest says there are many aspects of programming.

2:49: Adelson concludes by saying no one brought up space concerns within buildings. To talk about must-carry is a matter of concrete facility needs. Adelson feels GM reticence over must-carry is a response to power dynamics.

2:51: Verna Avery Brown says the staff collective sees need for collaboration, and that she is hopeful. She points out recalling the first must-carry and that this group is much more positive about these matters than other administrations. Her encouragement that everyone relax gets applause.

2:56: Georgia makes remarks about collaboration.

3:01: Gudino says he’s optimistic. Aguilar says Moore has agreed to work with stations to determine issues in order to get Pacifica programming on, and in the most ideal spots.

3:08: White says part of the collaboration is understanding.

3:09: KPFA GM Lemlem Rijio says she is disappointed because she feels there is a typical dynamic happening — staff reports, board asks questions, gets mad at staff, etc. She asks the board to fundraise, since many projects require money. We want to build more structure.

3:13: Non-must-carry Q&A. Hauptman brings up disabled issues, and says it should be a national programming priority.

3:16: Cook mentions raising visibility of Pacifica, and the need for youth programming.

3:21: Lederer brings up included more Free Speech Radio News is important. Stations must include more voices of programmers. He is positive about the meeting.

3:25: Bethune seconds that volunteer programmers are not in the loop.

3:27: Avery Brown says she wants to see a news summit.

3:30: Reimers says he’s encouraged about improving the quality of programming. He urges patience for PD gatherings and programming summit. He encourages necessity of diversity discussions.

3:40: Robinson says Pacifica has local programs have the potential to raise revenue. Adelson says stations should look at how spending is fit in relation to programming and fundraising.

3:43: Hauptman says she appreciates Rijio’s fundraising request, and says the board often brings other skills to the table.

3:46: Woodson asks to make HD Radio a priority.

3:52: LaForrest asks about Committees of Inclusion. Guma reaffirms commitment.

3:56: Adelson asks about relationships between PDs and paid programmers. White says board mandated morning and evening programming; board didn’t give adequate resources, he adds.

4:01: Hauptman says the dynamic isn’t in gender, but in dynamics. White says the experiencs helped.

4:03: Reimers says local morning shows tend to make things more difficult, in that they address local matters.

end

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New Orleans Survivors Seek $20 Million From Venezuela

New Orleans Survivor Council turns to Venezuela for aide now with the goal of raising $6 billion from the international community to rebuild our communities and levees.

“The governments of the US have abandoned the poor and working class black people of our city. Now we must fend for ourselves. They have allowed predatory developers to take our land and won’t help us build our houses.”
Robert Richardson, survivor, homeowner, Lower Ninth Ward

“We are requesting $20 million from Venezuela to start immediately but that is just the beginning of a $6 billion international fund-raising campaign for the New Orleans Survivor Council community.”
Julie Andrews, survivor, Public Housing resident

The New Orleans Survivor Council (NOSC) has developed proposals for rebuilding New Orleans so that our city’s poor, mostly black survivors can come home and thrive. NOSC invites all poor and working class dark-skinned people to help review and improve these proposals. Once these proposals are approved, survivors will bring them to the Communal Councils and government of Venezuela for their advice and support.

Representatives of the Venezuelan government will attend the meeting and continue their role as advisors in this process.

“We are going to ask the same 47 nations that helped Pakistan with their earthquake to help us rebuild our communities and levees; every nation that helps us, we will fly their flag on that levee. The eyes of the world will be on us We are going to Venezuela, talk with our friends in the Communal Councils there, and ask the Venezuelan people to help us travel the world to get the funds to take our community back, rebuild our levees, and bring our people home.”
Robert Richardson, survivor, homeowner, Lower Ninth Ward

When: Saturday, April 21, at 11 am
Where: Old Pathway Baptist Church, 1910 Alabao Street in the Lower 9th Ward.
Transportation, Child Care, and Food will be provided

New Orleans Survivor Council
(504) 872-9591
www.peoplesorganizing.org
NewOrleansSurvivorCouncil@gmail.com

Press Release- Background Information

The New Orleans Survivor Council (NOSC) invites all survivors to participate in finalizing a proposal for rebuilding New Orleans that will be brought to the Communal Councils of Venezuela and then to the Venezuelan government for their approval and funding..

We invite all those people who were deserted by the government, those who were left to die in the Superdome and the Convention Center, those who were scattered throughout America in 44 states, those who did not receive Road Home money, who have been kept out of their public housing units, whose homes in the poor communities of New Orleans have not received funding for improvement, who did not receive insurance money, who do not have hospitals and schools for their families, the single parents, renters, the homeless, the elderly, the disabled, to come to this meeting.

We also welcome those who have more resources and professional skills but are committed to the right of the poor to be self organized and directed, those who believe in the right of those people, the poor, the displaced, to determine our own futures, those who believe in the leadership of the poor, the most affected people, to create a plan that will be effective in solving some of our most pressing problems. This meeting will be about poor, black folks coming together to direct our own futures.

We are asking the government of Venezuela for an immediate grant of $20 million to launch a 2-year $6 billion international fund raising campaign to create the conditions and facilities for displaced New Orleanians to return to the city and rebuild our lives and communities. The plan will create the infrastructure and projects that will allow us to move forward together.

The New Orleans Survivor Council has built a relationship with the Communal Councils in Venezuela, formations that function similarly to NOSC and have as their goal the full participation and empowerment of the poor folks in their communities. The proposals to be discussed at the meeting this Saturday will be brought to the Communal Councils in Venezuela for their input and political support, and then brought to the Venezuelan legislature for approval and funding. We have been meeting with representatives of the Venezuelan government over the last two months; these representatives will attend this meeting, offering their continued input and advice.

As part of our plan for rebuilding New Orleans for its poor,mostly black, displaced residents, the New Orleans Survivor Council is proposing the following:

Development Fund to manage and raise financial support for our work
Organizing Institute to train and support organizers
Sister City Project between NOSC and the Venezuelan Communal Councils
Technology Transfer Project to teach skills for running organizations
Reconstruction Project to teach construction skills and rebuild houses & apartments
Emergency Come Home Project to move people back to their public housing
units, apartments, and homes in New Orleans
Demonstration Levee that will set a standard for eventual completion of the entire
Industrial Canal Levee
Rebuilding and Re-opening of Schools
Economic Development Projects including a building supply factory, a gasoline service
station, and a clothing factory

The purpose of this meeting will be to review the proposals, hear comments on the plan, discuss additional ideas, and direct our work for the future. All people committed to bottom-up organizing, to the leadership of the poor, to the full participation and empowerment of our people, survivors who have been deserted by our government and our leaders, are encouraged to attend.

When: Saturday, April 21, 11 am-1 pm
Where: Old Pathway Baptist Church, 1910 Alabao Street in the Lower 9th Ward

Transportation, Child Care, and Transportation will be provided.

New Orleans Survivor Council
(504) 872-9591
www.peoplesorganizing.org
NewOrleansSurvivorCouncil@gmail.com

Today’s hearings have changed up a bit, and I wanted to send a brief note your way as I prepare for a programming meeting in Washington.

The original lineup of Mitch Jesserich and Verna Avery Brown has changed. Instead, Pacifica’s Larry Bensky, who is soon retiring from regular network duties, will host the program. If you’ve heard Larry on these broadcasts before, you’ll know he’s intelligent and gets to the heart of matters. Should be a good program.

No end time is set for the hearing, but I expect it to continue through the morning. If we end by noon, expect Reginald Adams to host Open Journal as KPFT returns to regular programming.

Media & Freedom in Venezuela
July 21-31, 2007

What role is media playing in the changes occurring in Venezuela?
Is freedom of press being undermined in Venezuela?

Global Exchange and Media Alliance invite you to travel to Venezuela with to meet with journalists, community activists, independent media cooperatives, human rights organizations, and government as well as opposition figures to see for yourself the unprecedented social changes underway and the role that media is playing in this process. Learn about the growing independent and community-based media movement that is transforming the way average citizens engage with media. Hear from multiple perspectives about the relationship between private media and the Chavez government.

Tentative meetings with:

* ANMCLA: National Association of Independent & Community Media
* SNTP: National Journalists Union
* Telesur: Pan-Latin American television network based in Venezuela
* Globovision: 24-hours news channel with strong opposition to Chavez
* Catia TV: Independent and community based television cooperative

Cost: $1450
Price Includes:

* Double-room hotel accommodations (Single rooms are available for an additional $200)
* Two meals per day
* Transportation to and from all programmed activities
* A qualified trip leader and language translation
* All program activities and honoraria to host speakers, organizations, and communities.

Contact Carlos Martinez for more information at carlos@globalexchange.org or (415) 575-5524.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed today’s hearing with Alberto Gonzales due to the Virginia Tech shootings yesterday. The hearing will pick up on Thursday. In the place of Whole Mother and Earth 101, KPFT will air a special featuring Michael Franti and Spearhead’s performance from Folsom Prison. We also hope to feature during today’s Open Journal a lecture to be announced.

Well, I’m clearing up the loose ends following the National Federation of Community Broadcasters in New Orleans, before my second trip later this week. So, I wanted to drop listeners a line to update you about things at KPFT.

NFCB was a good conference. Many solid sessions, of which KFAI’s Program Evaluations session was probably best. There were fewer attendees than last year, in part attributable to tough finances for many stations. It was still a great event, with cheers to Ginny Berson and the whole NFCB crew.

I will be in Washington, DC this week for our national board meeting. I expect to liveblog Friday and Saturday evening sessions. Make sure to check that out!

Earth Day broadcasts happen later this week. Should be some good programming, featuring information on animals, the environment and sustainability.