Former KPFA News Insider Speaks Truth to Power

Maggie Kaigler-Armstead
December 1, 2012 at 7:30 pm

The difference between UCR and SAVEKPFA is simple, and the simplicity is genius.

Whereas the latter reeks of soulless, self serving ambition, and is deceitful in both purpose and
intent, the former, that is UCR, is honest, moral and unselfish in pursuit of one intent, furthering
one thing, the KPFA mission and purpose.What the latter lacks the former provides: ingenuity, genius
and truth.

IT is probably indecipherable to anyone who has not worked under the authority of Aileen Alfandary
and Mark “white men rule the world” Mericle. But for me, an unpaid general assignment reporter in
the KPFA news room for 3 years (2005-08) it was an unfolding education in obstinate meanness. I also
worked on a KPFA radio news series with staff, and brought with me my 40 years experience as a major
market, commercial, corporate, government, public radio, black radio and producer, anchor and
broadcast journalist, comfortable in both television and radio, behind and in front of the camera in
differing capacity from New York to California, and my experience made it clear.

I suggest that KPFA news stands among the most pervadingly corrupt, blatantly ungoverned,
unaccountable, disorganized and mismanaged news operation I have ever had the distinctly perverse
and privileged horror to witness, experience and observe.

It is getting better. Getting rid of Brian Edwards-Tiekert and the elitists he represents and
symbolizes helps both the station and Brian to understand good looks and a charming manner cannot
gangster you to the top despite the formidable aid of Alfandary and Mericle for whom, white male
supremacy, the glamor of evil and over riding ambition is all pervasive.

I mailed my ballot November 29th. UCR all the way.

Somehow, KPFA and its organized information and intelligent administration muscles through cruelty
and meanness to prevail. This, due in no small part to unending, selfless acts of courage and
perseverance by true leaders like Tracy Rosenberg; RIchard Phelps, VIrginia Browning, Adrienne
Lauby, Daniel Borgstrom (more information @ D.B.’s free speech zone [at] danielborgstrom.com) and many,
many others who are awake, clear on the agenda of the white collar, faux liberal progressive,
entrenched operatives- who, to further their own blind, self serving ambition are willing to kill
KPFA, its journalistic ethic, creativity and spirit.

And yet….spirit cannot die. I am most grateful. UCR! UCR!!