Urban Unrest

Note: this site draws a variety of readers, including those who might not know much about Pacifica. This is a short primer on Pacifica and KPFT.

What is Pacifica?

The Pacifica Foundation is a national, non-profit, educational organization that owns and operates five radio stations, including KPFT. Pacifica originated the concept of listener-supported radio in the United States. Lewis Hill founded Pacifica in 1949 to produce a different kind of radio that would allow access to the public and provide an outlet for diverse options, ideas and cultures.

The Pacifica Network

Every Pacifica station has a wide variety of programs, uses unpaid staff prominently in the production of programming, and places a strong emphasis on multi-cultural and public affairs programs. KPFA (94.1 FM in Berkeley, CA) was the first Pacifica station to go on the air in 1949. KPFK (90.7 FM in Los Angeles, CA) has been on the air since July 26, 1959. WBAI (99.5 FM in New York City) was donated to Pacifica in 1960. The youngest station, WPFW (89.3 FM in Washington, D.C.) went on the air in 1977. In addition, Pacifica has a network of over 80 affiliate stations that run its programming.

The Pacifica Mission

To establish a Foundation organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member of the Foundation.

To establish and operate for educational purposes, in such manner that the facilities involved shall be as nearly self-sustaining as possible, one or more radio broadcasting stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and subject in their operation to the regulatory actions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, As Amended.

In radio broadcasting operations to encourage and provide outlets for the creative skills and energies of the community; to conduct classes and workshops in the writing and producing of drama; to establish awards and scholarships for creative writing; to offer performance facilities to amateur instrumentalists, choral groups, orchestral groups and music students; and to promote and aid other creative activities which will serve the cultural welfare of the community.

In radio broadcasting operations to engage in any activity that shall contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and through any and all means compatible with the purposes of this corporation to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms.

In radio broadcasting operations to promote the full distribution of public information; to obtain access to sources of news not commonly brought together in the same medium; and to employ such varied sources in the public presentation of accurate, objective, comprehensive news on all matters vitally affecting the community.

KPFT’s History

KPFT was started in about 1968 by a group of people who thought Houston was in dire need of a Pacifica station. Larry Lee, KPFT’s founder, organized other people, raised money, and persuaded Pacifica to apply for a Houston license. After much difficulty, KPFT went on the air on March 1, 1970.

The political climate of Houston in 1970 was repressive. The Vietnam War and the protests it spawned were at their height. There were numerous attacks against alternative or underground groups in Houston as well as against various civil rights organizations. KPFT was originally housed in downtown Houston on Prairie.

KPFT went on the air with controversial programming and was twice bombed off the air in its first eight months of operation, first on May 12, 1970, and again on October 6, 1970. KPFT received massive publicity after the first bombing. It experienced one of the largest increases in listener-support of any public station in the country. Although the second bombing put KPFT off the air for months through the work and dedication of conscious volunteers like you, the station battled back and returned to the airwaves in January 1971.

In 1975, KPFT relocated its studios to its current location. In the mid-1970’s, KPFT developed a strong news department and published its program guide as an alternative newspaper.

A new antenna location was found in 1983 after KPFT was evicted from its site of 10 years, a site that it once owned. In 1984 improvements were made to the control room and production room. In 1986 KPFT installed a new antenna that improved it signal quality and coverage. KPFT continues its commitment to broadcasting a wide variety of viewpoints and access to the air for underrepresented groups.

KPFT is viewed in the market as a unique cultural and community resource with a progressive political bent. KPFT’s music programming is perceived as unique, in that much of the material played is simply not available on other radio stations, and is broadly diverse. As a community resource, KPFT is considered one of the best ways for non-profits, arts, and cultural organizations to communicate with their constituencies. KPFT takes this role seriously, providing thousands of public service announcements annually, and by being a “media sponsor” for many of these events. KPFT’s news and public affairs broadcasts are thought to be important and valuable alternatives to the mainstream media, and frequently present a progressive point of view virtually absent in other types of media. KPFT is often perceived as smaller and less sophisticated than it actually is.

As a broadcast station, KPFT competes for listeners with numerous other media outlets. However, KPFT’s unique programming has no serious competition in the regional market. To some degree, KPFT competes for listeners and members with public radio stations, primarily among those who seek alternative news and public affairs programs.

To Join

Our website is www.kpft.org. KPFT depends on membership, rather than commercial advertising. Consider visiting our site and becoming a member of KPFT.