PUBLIC FORUM: KPFA/Pacifica - Democracy Deferred?

PUBLIC FORUM:
KPFA/Pacifica - Democracy Deferred?

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 10, 7-9:00 pm

WHERE:
La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley


Panelists are:

SOLANGE ECHEVERIA
Flashpoints, moderator

RIVA ENTEEN
Chair, KPFA Local Station Board

MARIA GILARDIN
former KPFA Development Director,
Co-founder, Take Back KPFA

BILL MANDEL
37 year programmer fired for violating KPFA's gag rule

GERALD SANDERS
KPFA Local Station Board and Pacifica National Board

SUSAN STONE
KPFA Director of Arts and Humanities Programming

JAMES E. VANN
community and political activist,
long time listener

(Organizations listed for ID purposes only)


The historic victory achieved by KPFA listeners hangs in the balance.
Once again, listeners must come to the rescue.

A panel of the "banned and fired," current programmers,
board members and community members,
followed by an open-mike session,
will address questions and propose solutions
to protect the nation's only independent radio network.

In 1999, 10,000 people poured into the streets of Berkeley
to defend KPFA, Pacifica Network's flagship radio station,
from a corporate take-over. As a result, a court settlement
was reached, which established elected governing boards.
However, the struggle for democratization, which requires
transparency and accountability, is far from over.


To solidify our victory, we must address these questions:

How do we put the community back into community radio?

Is station management listening to the listeners?

Is our elected board showing the leadership we need?

What went wrong with the General Manager hiring process?

Is KPFA really "free speech radio"?

How does our mission inform our news coverage and public affairs programming?

What about the "banned and fired?"

Is it time to take back KPFA again?

What's happening at other Pacifica stations?