July 1, 1999

 In April, FAIR called on Pacifica Radio to adopt more open and  accountable management processes, in the wake of intense protests over  the dismissals of KPFA general manager Nicole Sawaya and veteran  journalist Larry Bensky (see FAIR's statement at http://www.fair.org/press-releases/pacifica-statement.html).

 Recent events at KPFA, Pacifica's flagship station in Berkeley, CA, have  served to underscore the need for mediation and dialogue between  Pacifica management and its listeners, staff and the communities they  intend to serve.  The fact that a large majority of contributions to  KPFA during its recent fund drive were designated as being made under  protest should have led management to rethink its policies and approach.

 Unfortunately, Pacifica management seems to have taken a very different  course. The arrest of protesters at the station, the installation of  armed guards at the station and the imposition of strict regulations on  guests at the station have done nothing to ease the tension or cool  tempers in this dispute. In fact, the actions take by Pacifica have  produced just the opposite, inciting further protest from listeners as  well as KPFA staff. A network founded 50 years ago by renowned pacifist  Lew Hill is certainly no place for such tactics.

 It is imperative that this sad turn of events end immediately.  Pacifica's status as a forum for progressive news and opinion with the  capacity to reach millions of listeners make it a rarity in the world of  hyper-commercialized corporate media. FAIR calls on Pacifica management  to make the first step in this process, by opening up a constructive  dialogue with all parties, and putting an end to the siege mentality  currently on display in Berkeley.

 Overreaction and polarization have not been demonstrated by Pacifica  management alone.  But as trustees of one of the progressive movement's  most valuable resources, Pacifica's directors bear the primary  responsibility and should take the lead in bridging the widening rift.

 Links:

 Pacifica Radio
 http://www.pacifica.org

 Save Pacifica
 http://www.savepacifica.cjb.net

 KPFA
 http://www.kpfa.org