Los Angeles Times Jan. 5, 1995

Top KPFK Executives Fired in Management Shake-up
by Claudia Puig
Times Staff Writer

The top executives at public-radio station KPFK-FM (90.7) were forced 
out Wednesday for what were described as management shortcomings, 
including failure to improve its multicultural programming.

General Manager Clifford Roberts and Program Director Lucia Chappelle 
were asked to leave the station by Patricia Scott, acting executive 
director of the Berkeley-based Pacifica Foundation, which owns the 
station. She also eliminated the position of assistant general 
manager but said that Mary Fowler, who had held the job, will likely
remain at KPFK in amother capacity.

"he Pacifica Foundation is looking at changes in top management to 
really focus on programming that is more relevant to the African 
American, Latino and Asian American communities," Scott said in an 
interview. "We want to provide this programming in a more structured 
manner, and not just with news and public affair but with cultural 
programming too. In order to do this, we really have to change the 
management of the station."

One of the weak spot in the programming line-up, she said, i the 
morning show "Up for Air," which has several hosts over the courseof 
the week. "That's not acceptable," she said. "It needs to have a 
stronger identity. It also needs a very strong producer who can 
really focus on what the local issues are."

Scott also cited past programs by African American producers that 
were branded as Anti-Semitic by the Jewish community as potentially 
divisive ans not helpful to the Pacifica Foundation's stated mission
of "programming that promotes peace."

Roberts had been in his job for 15 months, Chappelle in hers for 71/2
years. Neither could be reached for comment. Pacifica plans to 
conduct a nationwide search for a new management team.