Urban Unrest

20 April 2007 | Pacifica | Ernesto Aguilar

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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