This statement is from Save Our Station (S.O.S) which is a support group that was formed a year ago and is made up of concerned WBAI listeners and producers. The Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation, Pat Scott, and her supporters claim they want to "professionalize the airwaves" and "build the network". Fine and noble goals in and of themselves. However, the way in which these goals are being realized is problematic:

• National Board meetings are held in closed session.
• Minutes from meetings are not made available.
• Proposals are made to cut Local Board representation on the National Board and remove station staff from the Local Advisory Boards.
• Reports To The Listeners are rare, superficial and controlled so that genuine dialogue or debate is not possible.
• There is a "gag" rule in place preventing producers discussing WBAI business on the air.

Listener money is being used to dismantle the union first in an NLRB hearing then in an appeal of the NLRB's ruling which cane down in favor of the union. 

Tn short, power is becoming centralized and insulated. Debate or resistance is being stifled by limiting discussion and access to information.

 The outcome of Pacifica's efforts is that firstly CPB funding has been called into question due to the inspector General's audit. Fortunately, funding was not cut this time but will we be so lucky if there's a next time? Why do things to jeopardize it in the first place? Secondly during marathons at stations throughout the system listeners are not as readily giving money because they are outraged at the totalitarian measures of a supposedly progressive organization. And mark these words, listeners will not readily contribute to any capital campaign to finance WBAI's move to a new station until Pacifica publicly states that it will withdraw the appeal of the NLRB ruling and comply fully with CPB guidelines.

 It is for those reasons we call for the immediate removal of Pat Scott from the Pacifica Foundation. The National Board has clearly abdicated its responsibility and allowed Pat Scott to implement decisions that are contrary to Pacifica's stated mission.

 It is clear to us that choosing corporate, centralized strategies as Pat Scott and her supporters have will only result in corporate, sterilized programming. It has already taken place at our sister stations. This is precisely what Pacifica was created to protest. Not only is this a mockery of the idea of freedom of speech, it also eliminates the possibility of truth, fairness, accuracy, debate and giving voice to the voiceless.