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KPFA Community Statement on Violence
A lobby will be held on Saturday 5/21/2005 at Freight & Salvage where the Local Station Board will be meeting to protest a systemic problem of violence and mismanagement at KPFA radio and at other Pacifica affiliates and the failure of the management to deal with the escalating crisis at KPFA and the network.
KPFA Community Statement on Violence
We, as KPFA community members expect and demand that Pacifica Foundation and station management, and representative national and local boards, act to ensure a safe, violence-free environment at KPFA and all Pacifica stations. We deplore continuing incidents of violence, intimidation, threats, physical and verbal abuse involving staff members, and recently, community representatives. Confirmed reports (with complaints filed) of incidents from June 2004 through this month at KPFA and New York station WBAI include (not a complete listing):
1. KPFA program coordinator physically intimidated and verbally abused a programmer;
2. Same KPFA program coordinator verbally intimidated a program host in the studio while the program was on air.
3. WBAI news reporter Robert Knight was physically intimidated, verbally abused and threatened with assault by an engineer (after his computer and desk had been searched and rummaged by a producer); he was then suspended and recently terminated.
4. KPFA program host (with a history of verbal abuse and turn over of staff) recently verbally abused a programmer, who left the job under duress when management failed to properly address the complaint or provide support.
5. KPFA engineer/staff representative threw metal chairs at a recent Program Council meeting, a chair hitting a listener representative, and slapped another listener representative (with the station GM present).
We join the KPFA Unpaid Staff Organization in its recent unanimously passed resolution: "The UPSO general meeting of 5/10/05 protests the use of violence at KPFA to solve differences or for any other reasons. We are opposed to any hostile workplace environment and we call on the station management to provide a work environment free of all forms of violence."
Although Pacifica has a written "zero tolerance for violence" policy, victims’ complaints and the causes, sources and perpetrators of violence and abuse have not been adequately investigated and remedied. Due to personnel confidentiality requirements we are not informed of management actions and corrective or disciplinary measures applied to staff engaged in these acts, although apparently they have remained in their positions at the stations after the incidents to the present, while at least two abuse victims have lost their program jobs.
Pacifica and local station management and boards are responsible and accountable for establishing and providing:
1. A safe workplace and meeting environment with prevention and eradication of violence and abuse, both as random individual incidents and as managerial or factional control tools to exploit or create divisions;
2. Effective investigation and resolution of incidents and complaints of violence and abuse;
3. Standard personnel policies, procedures, practices, structures and applications for incident investigation, hearings, appeals and progressive discipline, including counseling, for staff found to be involved in such incidents.
We are very concerned that violence - along with a range of related problems, inequities, distortions and damages to the KPFA/Pacifica mission, its governance, management, staffing, operations, programming and listener participation - have been carried over from the old Pacifica coup regime. We are determined that violence and abuse cannot be allowed to continue unchecked and unresolved at KPFA and WBAI without further deterioration and disastrous consequences. We deeply regret and resolve that the ruinous climate and culture at WBAI * (see note) must be reversed and not further replicated at KPFA.
We appeal to KPFA community members and organizations to speak out on this critical issue. We expect the LSB to address the violence issue as a public agenda item at this Saturday’s meeting, and we encourage community members to attend and speak out, beginning at 11 AM at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison St. at San Pablo Ave in Berkeley. To participate in the Informational Lobby and leaflet this statement, come to the Freight at 10:30 AM.
(see http://www.kpfa.org/lsb)
Middle East Radio Project
Joseph Anderson, KPFA Listener
Mehmet Bayram, MERP member
Jeff Blankfort, Co-Founder Take Back KPFA
Carl Bryant, KPFA Labor Collective Member
Bill Carpenter, KPFA Listener Member
Maxine Duggan, KPFA Labor Collective member
Bob English KPFA Listener Member
Linda Hewitt, KPFA Listener Member
Esin Olcay, MERP Member
Sureya Sayadi, MERP Member
Stan Woods, KPFA Program Council Listener Representative, Peoples Radio member
Steve Zeltzer, KPFA Labor Collective Member, Unpaid Staff Organization Member
Marilla Arguelles, KPFA Labor Collective
* Note: Like censorship as an old-Pacifica management tool, violence at WBAI was developed and maintained by the coup regime, and apparently preserved under Pacifica ED appointed station management (prior to the recent interim GM appointment), and is characterized by staff on staff violence and abuse, security guards at meetings, departure of a high portion of staff and volunteers in fear and disgust, while others are discouraged from volunteering or even listening to Pacifica.
We, as KPFA community members expect and demand that Pacifica Foundation and station management, and representative national and local boards, act to ensure a safe, violence-free environment at KPFA and all Pacifica stations. We deplore continuing incidents of violence, intimidation, threats, physical and verbal abuse involving staff members, and recently, community representatives. Confirmed reports (with complaints filed) of incidents from June 2004 through this month at KPFA and New York station WBAI include (not a complete listing):
1. KPFA program coordinator physically intimidated and verbally abused a programmer;
2. Same KPFA program coordinator verbally intimidated a program host in the studio while the program was on air.
3. WBAI news reporter Robert Knight was physically intimidated, verbally abused and threatened with assault by an engineer (after his computer and desk had been searched and rummaged by a producer); he was then suspended and recently terminated.
4. KPFA program host (with a history of verbal abuse and turn over of staff) recently verbally abused a programmer, who left the job under duress when management failed to properly address the complaint or provide support.
5. KPFA engineer/staff representative threw metal chairs at a recent Program Council meeting, a chair hitting a listener representative, and slapped another listener representative (with the station GM present).
We join the KPFA Unpaid Staff Organization in its recent unanimously passed resolution: "The UPSO general meeting of 5/10/05 protests the use of violence at KPFA to solve differences or for any other reasons. We are opposed to any hostile workplace environment and we call on the station management to provide a work environment free of all forms of violence."
Although Pacifica has a written "zero tolerance for violence" policy, victims’ complaints and the causes, sources and perpetrators of violence and abuse have not been adequately investigated and remedied. Due to personnel confidentiality requirements we are not informed of management actions and corrective or disciplinary measures applied to staff engaged in these acts, although apparently they have remained in their positions at the stations after the incidents to the present, while at least two abuse victims have lost their program jobs.
Pacifica and local station management and boards are responsible and accountable for establishing and providing:
1. A safe workplace and meeting environment with prevention and eradication of violence and abuse, both as random individual incidents and as managerial or factional control tools to exploit or create divisions;
2. Effective investigation and resolution of incidents and complaints of violence and abuse;
3. Standard personnel policies, procedures, practices, structures and applications for incident investigation, hearings, appeals and progressive discipline, including counseling, for staff found to be involved in such incidents.
We are very concerned that violence - along with a range of related problems, inequities, distortions and damages to the KPFA/Pacifica mission, its governance, management, staffing, operations, programming and listener participation - have been carried over from the old Pacifica coup regime. We are determined that violence and abuse cannot be allowed to continue unchecked and unresolved at KPFA and WBAI without further deterioration and disastrous consequences. We deeply regret and resolve that the ruinous climate and culture at WBAI * (see note) must be reversed and not further replicated at KPFA.
We appeal to KPFA community members and organizations to speak out on this critical issue. We expect the LSB to address the violence issue as a public agenda item at this Saturday’s meeting, and we encourage community members to attend and speak out, beginning at 11 AM at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison St. at San Pablo Ave in Berkeley. To participate in the Informational Lobby and leaflet this statement, come to the Freight at 10:30 AM.
(see http://www.kpfa.org/lsb)
Middle East Radio Project
Joseph Anderson, KPFA Listener
Mehmet Bayram, MERP member
Jeff Blankfort, Co-Founder Take Back KPFA
Carl Bryant, KPFA Labor Collective Member
Bill Carpenter, KPFA Listener Member
Maxine Duggan, KPFA Labor Collective member
Bob English KPFA Listener Member
Linda Hewitt, KPFA Listener Member
Esin Olcay, MERP Member
Sureya Sayadi, MERP Member
Stan Woods, KPFA Program Council Listener Representative, Peoples Radio member
Steve Zeltzer, KPFA Labor Collective Member, Unpaid Staff Organization Member
Marilla Arguelles, KPFA Labor Collective
* Note: Like censorship as an old-Pacifica management tool, violence at WBAI was developed and maintained by the coup regime, and apparently preserved under Pacifica ED appointed station management (prior to the recent interim GM appointment), and is characterized by staff on staff violence and abuse, security guards at meetings, departure of a high portion of staff and volunteers in fear and disgust, while others are discouraged from volunteering or even listening to Pacifica.
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"4. KPFA program host (with a history of verbal abuse and turn over of staff) recently verbally abused a programmer, who left the job under duress when management failed to properly address the complaint or provide support."
Thanks for putting this out. It's time that Dennis Bernstein was held accountable by the community for forcing out so many Flashpoints staff -- most recently Solange Echeverria. GM Roy Campanella did nothing to protect her. When is this going to end? When KPFA and the community say no to Bernstein's worker abuse, sexism and pattern of sexual harassment.
Thanks for putting this out. It's time that Dennis Bernstein was held accountable by the community for forcing out so many Flashpoints staff -- most recently Solange Echeverria. GM Roy Campanella did nothing to protect her. When is this going to end? When KPFA and the community say no to Bernstein's worker abuse, sexism and pattern of sexual harassment.
When is KPFA gonna put those 50,000 watts to good use? I mean, fuck, most of the shit on KPFA is boooooring barely-to-the-left-of-the-democrats garbage. What's the fucking point?
So long as those with programs only think about protecting their turf and inertia carries the day KPFA will be an embaressment.
Let's be honest: there's a lot of radicals out there who'd rather listen to KQED--lame as it is--than the stale, predictable, no debate havin' shit KPFA serves up.
So long as those with programs only think about protecting their turf and inertia carries the day KPFA will be an embaressment.
Let's be honest: there's a lot of radicals out there who'd rather listen to KQED--lame as it is--than the stale, predictable, no debate havin' shit KPFA serves up.
No debate is right. I heard a nationalist Serb on Bernstein's show (with some of the Answer's Stalinists) saying a bunch of racist shit about Albanians, no challenge. Ward Churchill comes on Flashpoints and Bernstein gets out the kneepads and kisses his ass. M. Parenti gets on and defends the USSR invasion of Afghanistan-- no questions. Every leftist that comes on just gets a bunch of softball questions. Bernstein never challenges his guests or his listeners to think beyond usual leftist platitudes.
Bernstein's interview style reminds me of the way members of congressional committees question friendly "witnesses". The questions are designed to prompt the "witness" to give "testimony" that backs up the position that the questioner already has. In other words, Bernstein asks questions where he knows the answer. He's more like a trial lawyer than an interviewer, except that he'd probably get in trouble for constantly asking leading questions.
Michael Parenti and Ward Churchill are both excellent, incisive speakers. They do a lot better job without Dennis interviewing them, which is why recordings of their speeches are popular fund-raising premiums.
BTW, Parenti is right about Afghanistan. The U.S.S.R. didn't "invade" Afghanistan. They sent troops in to help defend a reformist capitalist government against a reactionary anti-woman Islamist insurgency that was heavily armed and financed by the CIA. And, unlike in Iraq today, a large portion of the insurgents were "foreign fighters"!
Michael Parenti and Ward Churchill are both excellent, incisive speakers. They do a lot better job without Dennis interviewing them, which is why recordings of their speeches are popular fund-raising premiums.
BTW, Parenti is right about Afghanistan. The U.S.S.R. didn't "invade" Afghanistan. They sent troops in to help defend a reformist capitalist government against a reactionary anti-woman Islamist insurgency that was heavily armed and financed by the CIA. And, unlike in Iraq today, a large portion of the insurgents were "foreign fighters"!
Ward Churchill supported the CIA's contras against the Sandinsta government of Nicaragua and he now supports the governments lies about the 9/11 Inside Job, which he refers to as the chickens coming home to roost, telling everyone that he thinks the workers at the World Trade Center deserved to be killed for what American imperialism did to the Native Americans. As the saying goes, all nationalism is reactionary, and Churchill's cover of nationalism for his reactionary positions is further proof of that principle. His support of the CIA in Nicaragua should have cured everyone, including Dennis Bernstein, of giving him any air time whatsoever.
Michael Parenti plays the old insulting, reactionary game of lesser evil politics and supports Democrats for president. That should be sufficient reason to stop giving him air time at KPFA, but KPFA remains a Democratic Party campaign station, never giving voice to socialists, who in the Bay Area, are in the leadership of the peace movement.
As to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, it should be supported. The advances for women alone are sufficient cause to support the Soviet Union's presence in Afghanistan. It was the US CIA's campaign, led by the CIA agent, who remains a CIA agent and favorite fall guy (patsy), Osama bin Laden, that was and is the problem.
In addition to more socialist politics and labor news, KPFA needs to give full voice to all who know what should have been obvious to all the day it happened that 9/11 was an Inside Job. The fact that there was no air defense which could easily have stopped all plane crashes and Bush's staged routine in his brother's Florida fiefdom, reading a goat story to children instead of acting as commander in chief, should have been sufficient signals that this was a Reichstag Fire. For those of you who have not done your homework, please read the basic books available everywhere:
Crossing the Rubicon by Michael Ruppert; The New Pearl Harbor and 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions by David Ray Griffin and 9/11 Synthetic Terror: Made in USA by Webster Tarpley.
I am disappointed to hear that Bernstein had a dispute with Solange Echeverria as she was a good radio journalist. I hope she returns and I hope Bernstein is told to be more respectful.
I happen to be a fan of Dennis Bernstein and Flashpoints but no one is above criticism. He is not a socialist, gives too much air time to Parenti and Churchill, does not interview socialists, and apparently has not taken the time to develop are political philosophy beyond gut level revulsion against the present bankrupt social order.
All of the news and political program radio journalists at KPFA need to develop a broader political philosophy to include a workingclass socialist perspective, so Bernstein is not alone in this weakness.
This article is the first I have heard about most of these problems. They are clearly an outgrowth of the political weakness of KPFA and its continued support of the Democrats. Until KPFA firmly and finally rejects the Democrats and gives full voice to socialists and all others who are of, by and for the workingclass, KPFA will continue to have these problems.
For those of you attending the meeting, at the top of your agenda must be the demand to put an end to the promotion of the Democrats at KPFA, specially on Democracy Now, the Morning Show, the Evening News, Sunday Salon, and to some extent on Flashpoints. That framework must be replaced by providing voice to socialists and giving a lot more labor news. A good example, which could be expanded, is the World Socialist Website's Workers Struggles Around the World at
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/lab-m21.shtml
Michael Parenti plays the old insulting, reactionary game of lesser evil politics and supports Democrats for president. That should be sufficient reason to stop giving him air time at KPFA, but KPFA remains a Democratic Party campaign station, never giving voice to socialists, who in the Bay Area, are in the leadership of the peace movement.
As to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, it should be supported. The advances for women alone are sufficient cause to support the Soviet Union's presence in Afghanistan. It was the US CIA's campaign, led by the CIA agent, who remains a CIA agent and favorite fall guy (patsy), Osama bin Laden, that was and is the problem.
In addition to more socialist politics and labor news, KPFA needs to give full voice to all who know what should have been obvious to all the day it happened that 9/11 was an Inside Job. The fact that there was no air defense which could easily have stopped all plane crashes and Bush's staged routine in his brother's Florida fiefdom, reading a goat story to children instead of acting as commander in chief, should have been sufficient signals that this was a Reichstag Fire. For those of you who have not done your homework, please read the basic books available everywhere:
Crossing the Rubicon by Michael Ruppert; The New Pearl Harbor and 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions by David Ray Griffin and 9/11 Synthetic Terror: Made in USA by Webster Tarpley.
I am disappointed to hear that Bernstein had a dispute with Solange Echeverria as she was a good radio journalist. I hope she returns and I hope Bernstein is told to be more respectful.
I happen to be a fan of Dennis Bernstein and Flashpoints but no one is above criticism. He is not a socialist, gives too much air time to Parenti and Churchill, does not interview socialists, and apparently has not taken the time to develop are political philosophy beyond gut level revulsion against the present bankrupt social order.
All of the news and political program radio journalists at KPFA need to develop a broader political philosophy to include a workingclass socialist perspective, so Bernstein is not alone in this weakness.
This article is the first I have heard about most of these problems. They are clearly an outgrowth of the political weakness of KPFA and its continued support of the Democrats. Until KPFA firmly and finally rejects the Democrats and gives full voice to socialists and all others who are of, by and for the workingclass, KPFA will continue to have these problems.
For those of you attending the meeting, at the top of your agenda must be the demand to put an end to the promotion of the Democrats at KPFA, specially on Democracy Now, the Morning Show, the Evening News, Sunday Salon, and to some extent on Flashpoints. That framework must be replaced by providing voice to socialists and giving a lot more labor news. A good example, which could be expanded, is the World Socialist Website's Workers Struggles Around the World at
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/lab-m21.shtml
For more information:
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/...
Here is an incomplete list of workers -- most of them women -- who Dennis Bernstein has gotten fired: Yun Su, Noelle Hanrahan, Mary Bishop, Christopher Sprinkle, Tracy Rosenberg, and now Solange Echeverria. And that doesn't include the people he's driven out by making their lives hellish. But at KPFA, people who raise a lot of money are untouchable.
Will Flashpoints workers Miguel Molina and Miguel Guerrero be next? So much for a program -- Flashpoints -- that was started as a vehicle for people of color.
Will Flashpoints workers Miguel Molina and Miguel Guerrero be next? So much for a program -- Flashpoints -- that was started as a vehicle for people of color.
Bernstein's show is lame. It's a vehicle for him to push his limited pet projects, i.e.: Hait, Is-Pal and prison issues. There's a great big world out there that needs covering, but all Flashpoints does is provide a vehicle for Bernstein to engage in his own intellectual masturbation. It's rubbish.
Oh and since when did the Soviet Union not invade Afghanistan? It was a super power going into a small defenseless country, on the invitation of a puppet government it installed. Over 1 million people died as a result. The problems with Islamists and mullahs in Afghanistan are for the Afghan people to sort out, not meddling outside superpowers. If you think the USSR represented anything like a progressive socialist model, you need to wake up and smell the gulags my friend. Socialism isn't throwing dissident artists in prison, or secret police, or psychiatric prisons for political opponents. The USSR is dead and good riddance as far as I'm concerned. Now maybe a real alternative to capitalism can begin to emerge, something like what we're seeing develop slowly in Latin America now. No more tyrants who sully the word socialism with their dictatorial policies.
Oh and since when did the Soviet Union not invade Afghanistan? It was a super power going into a small defenseless country, on the invitation of a puppet government it installed. Over 1 million people died as a result. The problems with Islamists and mullahs in Afghanistan are for the Afghan people to sort out, not meddling outside superpowers. If you think the USSR represented anything like a progressive socialist model, you need to wake up and smell the gulags my friend. Socialism isn't throwing dissident artists in prison, or secret police, or psychiatric prisons for political opponents. The USSR is dead and good riddance as far as I'm concerned. Now maybe a real alternative to capitalism can begin to emerge, something like what we're seeing develop slowly in Latin America now. No more tyrants who sully the word socialism with their dictatorial policies.
Here is an email sent from WBAI's general manager Don Rojas to former KPFA local station board member Steve Conley about the termination of Robert Knight. It sounds like the above version on the whole affair (in the "KPFA Community Statement") should be looked at skeptically.
"Here are the facts surrounding the firing of Robert Knight:
1) He was always an interim employee.
2) He has refused to give the station a mailing address which is illegal.
3) He was suspended in early March for gross insubordination and for failure to carry out assigned tasks for the past 8 months and he refused to report to me upon his return to work. I kept him on the payroll for over a year after he was removed as interim host from Wake Up Call.
4) He has a long history of arrogant and abusive behavior towards other WBAI employees and this was confirmed by the recent investigation into his confrontation with two staff members.
5) He has used his program "Earthwatch" to bash WBAI's management even more egregiously than Gary Null and management has not responded to these public attacks.
6) He carried out an illegal act by entering my office without
permission and removing files from my desk. The files are still missing. They are not his official personnel files. They are my files of correspondence with him over the past several months and their unauthorized removal constitutes an act of theft. His illegal act was caught on the surveillance camera
and was viewed by Indra Hardat, Peter Bochan, other staffers and me.
7) Since he refused to accept the job of senior correspondent that I created for him in November 2004 and since he was not ARCed for the permanent host of Wake Up Call, Knight in effect does not have a job to be fired from at WBAI and therefore the station has no obligation to keep him on the payroll.
8) Indra Hardat, the new interim GM at WBAI was insistent that Knight be fired. In fact, she said she would have resigned as iGM if I had not taken the action I took.
I hope that this imbroglio can be resolved in a manner that will not cause long-term damage to WBAI.
Don Rojas"
"Here are the facts surrounding the firing of Robert Knight:
1) He was always an interim employee.
2) He has refused to give the station a mailing address which is illegal.
3) He was suspended in early March for gross insubordination and for failure to carry out assigned tasks for the past 8 months and he refused to report to me upon his return to work. I kept him on the payroll for over a year after he was removed as interim host from Wake Up Call.
4) He has a long history of arrogant and abusive behavior towards other WBAI employees and this was confirmed by the recent investigation into his confrontation with two staff members.
5) He has used his program "Earthwatch" to bash WBAI's management even more egregiously than Gary Null and management has not responded to these public attacks.
6) He carried out an illegal act by entering my office without
permission and removing files from my desk. The files are still missing. They are not his official personnel files. They are my files of correspondence with him over the past several months and their unauthorized removal constitutes an act of theft. His illegal act was caught on the surveillance camera
and was viewed by Indra Hardat, Peter Bochan, other staffers and me.
7) Since he refused to accept the job of senior correspondent that I created for him in November 2004 and since he was not ARCed for the permanent host of Wake Up Call, Knight in effect does not have a job to be fired from at WBAI and therefore the station has no obligation to keep him on the payroll.
8) Indra Hardat, the new interim GM at WBAI was insistent that Knight be fired. In fact, she said she would have resigned as iGM if I had not taken the action I took.
I hope that this imbroglio can be resolved in a manner that will not cause long-term damage to WBAI.
Don Rojas"
Violence on Television - What do Children Learn? What Can Parents Do?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Violent programs on television lead to aggressive behavior by children and teenagers who watch those programs.
That's the word from a 1982 report by the National Institute of Mental Health, a report that confirmed and extended an earlier study done by the Surgeon General. As a result of these and other research findings, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution in February 1985 informing broadcasters and the public of the potential dangers that viewing violence on television can have for children.
What Does the Research Show?
Psychological research has shown three major effects of seeing violence on television:
Children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others
Children may be more fearful of the world around them
Children may be more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others.
Children who watch a lot of TV are less aroused by violent scenes than are those who only watch a little; in other words, they're less bothered by violence in general, and less likely to see anything wrong with it. One example: in several studies, those who watched a violent program instead of a nonviolent one were slower to intervene or to call for help when, a little later, they saw younger children fighting or playing destructively.
Studies by George Gerbner, Ph.D., at the University of Pennsylvania, have shown that children's TV shows contain about 20 violent acts each hour and also that children who watch a lot of television are more likely to think that the world is a mean and dangerous place.
Children often behave differently after they've been watching violent programs on TV. In one study done at Pennsylvania State University, about 100 preschool children were observed both before and after watching television; some watched cartoons that had a lot of aggressive and violent acts in them, and others watched shows that didn't have any kind of violence. The researchers noticed real differences between the kids who watched the violent shows and those who watched nonviolent ones.
'Children who watch the violent shows, even 'just funny' cartoons, were more likely to hit out at their playmates, argue, disobey class rules, leave tasks unfinished, and were less willing to wait for things than those who watched the nonviolent programs,' says Aletha Huston, Ph.D., now at the University of Kansas.
Real-Life Studies
Findings from the laboratory are further supported by field studies which have shown the long-range effects of televised violence. Leonard Eron, Ph.D., and his associates at the University of Illinois, found that children who watched many hours of TV violence when they were in elementary school tended to also show a higher level of aggressive behavior when they became teenagers. By observing these youngsters until they were 30 years old, Dr. Eron found that the ones who'd watched a lot of TV when they were eight years old were more likely to be arrested and prosecuted for criminal acts as adults.
A Continuing Debate
In spite of this accumulated evidence, broadcasters and scientists continue to debate the link between the viewing TV violence and children's aggressive behavior. Some broadcasters believe that there is not enough evidence to prove that TV violence is harmful. But scientists who have studied this issue say that there is a link between TV violence and aggression, and in 1992, the American Psychological Association's Task Force on Television and Society published a report that confirms this view. The report, entitled Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society, shows that the harmful effects of TV violence do exist.
What Parents Can Do
While most scientists are convinced that children can learn aggressive behavior from television, they also point out that parents have tremendous power to moderate that influence.
Because there is a great deal of violence in both adult and children's programming, just limiting the number of hours children watch television will probably reduce the amount of aggression they see.
In addition:
Parents should watch at least one episode of the programs their children watch. That way they'll know what their children are watching and be able to talk about it with them.
When they see a violent incident, parents can discuss with their child what caused the character to act in a violent way. They should also point out that this kind of behavior is not characteristic, not the way adults usually solve their problems. They can ask their children to talk about other ways the character could have reacted, or other nonviolent solutions to the character's problem.
Parents can outright ban any programs that they find too offensive. They can also restrict their children's viewing to shows that they feel are more beneficial, such as documentaries, educational shows and so on.
Parents can limit the amount of time children spend watching television, and encourage children to spend their time on sports, hobbies, or with friends; parents and kids can even draw up a list of other enjoyable activities to do instead of watching TV.
Parents can encourage their children to watch programs that demonstrate helping, caring and cooperation. Studies show that these types of programs can influence children to become more kind and considerate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Violent programs on television lead to aggressive behavior by children and teenagers who watch those programs.
That's the word from a 1982 report by the National Institute of Mental Health, a report that confirmed and extended an earlier study done by the Surgeon General. As a result of these and other research findings, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution in February 1985 informing broadcasters and the public of the potential dangers that viewing violence on television can have for children.
What Does the Research Show?
Psychological research has shown three major effects of seeing violence on television:
Children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others
Children may be more fearful of the world around them
Children may be more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others.
Children who watch a lot of TV are less aroused by violent scenes than are those who only watch a little; in other words, they're less bothered by violence in general, and less likely to see anything wrong with it. One example: in several studies, those who watched a violent program instead of a nonviolent one were slower to intervene or to call for help when, a little later, they saw younger children fighting or playing destructively.
Studies by George Gerbner, Ph.D., at the University of Pennsylvania, have shown that children's TV shows contain about 20 violent acts each hour and also that children who watch a lot of television are more likely to think that the world is a mean and dangerous place.
Children often behave differently after they've been watching violent programs on TV. In one study done at Pennsylvania State University, about 100 preschool children were observed both before and after watching television; some watched cartoons that had a lot of aggressive and violent acts in them, and others watched shows that didn't have any kind of violence. The researchers noticed real differences between the kids who watched the violent shows and those who watched nonviolent ones.
'Children who watch the violent shows, even 'just funny' cartoons, were more likely to hit out at their playmates, argue, disobey class rules, leave tasks unfinished, and were less willing to wait for things than those who watched the nonviolent programs,' says Aletha Huston, Ph.D., now at the University of Kansas.
Real-Life Studies
Findings from the laboratory are further supported by field studies which have shown the long-range effects of televised violence. Leonard Eron, Ph.D., and his associates at the University of Illinois, found that children who watched many hours of TV violence when they were in elementary school tended to also show a higher level of aggressive behavior when they became teenagers. By observing these youngsters until they were 30 years old, Dr. Eron found that the ones who'd watched a lot of TV when they were eight years old were more likely to be arrested and prosecuted for criminal acts as adults.
A Continuing Debate
In spite of this accumulated evidence, broadcasters and scientists continue to debate the link between the viewing TV violence and children's aggressive behavior. Some broadcasters believe that there is not enough evidence to prove that TV violence is harmful. But scientists who have studied this issue say that there is a link between TV violence and aggression, and in 1992, the American Psychological Association's Task Force on Television and Society published a report that confirms this view. The report, entitled Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society, shows that the harmful effects of TV violence do exist.
What Parents Can Do
While most scientists are convinced that children can learn aggressive behavior from television, they also point out that parents have tremendous power to moderate that influence.
Because there is a great deal of violence in both adult and children's programming, just limiting the number of hours children watch television will probably reduce the amount of aggression they see.
In addition:
Parents should watch at least one episode of the programs their children watch. That way they'll know what their children are watching and be able to talk about it with them.
When they see a violent incident, parents can discuss with their child what caused the character to act in a violent way. They should also point out that this kind of behavior is not characteristic, not the way adults usually solve their problems. They can ask their children to talk about other ways the character could have reacted, or other nonviolent solutions to the character's problem.
Parents can outright ban any programs that they find too offensive. They can also restrict their children's viewing to shows that they feel are more beneficial, such as documentaries, educational shows and so on.
Parents can limit the amount of time children spend watching television, and encourage children to spend their time on sports, hobbies, or with friends; parents and kids can even draw up a list of other enjoyable activities to do instead of watching TV.
Parents can encourage their children to watch programs that demonstrate helping, caring and cooperation. Studies show that these types of programs can influence children to become more kind and considerate.
Robert Knight is a pretentious blowhard. He is not a journalist. He's a clumsy propagandist who belongs on Radio North Korea. Knight's so-called reports provide no insight. It is simply his view on events with little regard for facts. Some weak-minded types may enjoy being told what to think, as for me and I'd say the vast majority of news consumers, give us the facts reported as accurately as possible, and allow us to make up our own minds. So-called journalists like Knight degrade the name journalist with their pompous speech making. A reporter reports facts and gets the hell out of the way so his or her reader, viewer or listener can interpret them for his or her self. If Knight has been sacked, good. It should have happened a long time ago.
While I am opposed to the threat or actual use of violence that has taken place at KPFA which was my intent to communicate when I signed the letter, there are other allegations contained in the statement that have nothing to do with violence or the threat of same and apparently are being used by members of the long-entrenched KPFA junta--the one that collaborated with Pat Scott during the purges of August 1995--to continue an ugly, long-term vendetta against one the few journalists still practicing the craft at the station.
It should be noted that these same individuals within KPFA have none nothing to deal with the actual acts of violence and the threats of same that have taken place at the station, apparently because they have been committed by those who have attached themselves to this clique of collaborators.
Since I have subsequently learned the implications of the one allegation that does not refer to violence which I assented to in its draft form, I can no longer support the statement in its entirety and so request my name be removed from it and that appropriate action be taken against those committing and threatening the violence within KPFA.
Jeff Blankfort
Co-Founder Save KPFA 1993
Co-Founder Take Back KPFA 1995
It should be noted that these same individuals within KPFA have none nothing to deal with the actual acts of violence and the threats of same that have taken place at the station, apparently because they have been committed by those who have attached themselves to this clique of collaborators.
Since I have subsequently learned the implications of the one allegation that does not refer to violence which I assented to in its draft form, I can no longer support the statement in its entirety and so request my name be removed from it and that appropriate action be taken against those committing and threatening the violence within KPFA.
Jeff Blankfort
Co-Founder Save KPFA 1993
Co-Founder Take Back KPFA 1995
Answering the post above of May 23 by fly on the wall:
Don't take Rojas assertions (in his letter) as fact! WBAIers well know of his mismanagement of the station & his dishonesty! Hear what the other side has to say!
Here is a letter from Knight to the Pacifica Executive Director, which addresses some of the charges by Rojas.
(And for those who don't know, Robert Knight is an excellent radio journalist who has continued his reporting in spite of a hostile workplace, until he was fired & prevented from recovering his materials from the station.)
Robert Knight
WBAI
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
25 March 2005
Dan Coughlin
Executive Director
Pacifica Foundation National Office
1925 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
Berkeley, California 94704
Dear Dan:
As you requested in our brief telephone conversation, this is my formal
admonition that you urgently rescind current WBAI station manager Don
Rojas’ improper month-long “suspension” of me – without pay(!). Once
again, his action is arbitrary, capricious, without progressive warning,
unsupported by facts, in violation of labor statutes and union agreements,
and at odds with Pacifica’s own principles and procedures.
Because of Don’s stubbornness and reckless disregard for such concerns, I am depending on you to reverse this act of vengeance, and guarantee that my due pay will indeed arrive, on schedule next week, as required. Don has already abused his authority by summarily ordering my exclusion from thecurrent payroll. Hence extraordinary remediation is required to arrange timely receipt of my wages, particularly as we approach a long,
double-holiday weekend.
As I shall document with fuller detail in subsequent memoranda (and future
venues, as may be necessary) – every statement in Don’s pretext for this
action is demonstrably false, and apparently motivated by reasons other
than the facts or merits of the situation.
Simply put, Don is accusing me of a laundry list of transparent
paper-trail falsities, including: refusing his directives,
insubordination, not reporting to supervisor(s), ignoring “several”
communications from our defective e-mail system, declining broadcast
opportunities, “insisting” on “an afternoon drive-time program currently
hosted by another producer,” and arrogance. .
In fact, I have – as directed – constantly reported to the news director,
consistent with Don’s instructions (this, despite a union challenge to
Don’s ill-defined and arbitrary reassignment, in addition to a hostile
workplace complaint).
Since I have not been “disobedient to authority,” I have, by definition,
not been insubordinate.
Furthermore, in my rôle as WBAI National Correspondent – which Don himself assigned me to – I have not “declined broadcast opportunities.” This is evidenced by my production and anchoring of, among other
projects, the Iraqi “elections”; the Presidential inauguration; the US national
election; both national political conventions and related protests;
Primary Sources, the series on the state-by-state primaries; Congressional
hearings; the 9/11 Commission hearings; etc., etc. Some of the broadcast
work Don claims I “declined” was even quoted in the London Independent
(the inauguration interview with Gore Vidal).
Neither have I tried to usurp another producer, when it is Don himself who
on more than one occasion promised and, before various venues, proposed me for an afternoon time slot. As a matter of honor, it was I, not Don, who respectfully apprised the host of my interest in the afternoon – but not to the exclusion of his show or towards his dismissal. We continue to enjoy warm, collegial relations.
As for communications, it is Don who, for months, has refused to talk to
me, in person or by phone, despite my repeated requests.
Finally, after many pleadings, Don reluctantly agreed to a March 22
face-to-face meeting on what he himself defined as “the structure and
content of the program that you have been assigned to produce and host for
this radio station.” Upon arrival, I was met with Don’s hostility and
abrupt redefinition of the session as being “about [my] status as an
employee” – a complete reversal of the meeting terms, suggesting he was
already contemplating punitive measures.
Don refused to proceed with my good faith effort to discuss the scheduled
topic of his “news magazine” idea. Furthermore, he angrily refused the
necessary participation of the WBAI department heads, whose coordination of resources and strategies in such a venture is essential. The 3-minute “meeting” concluded with his shouting at me to get out of his office.
During the conversation, I never uttered the words "you know nothing about radio."
On these matters I enjoy significant staff support, as well as the
unanimous backing of the WBAI department heads who had constructively
assembled to try and develop a practical strategy for Don’s incompletely
developed concept. Don refused the advise and counsel of the senior staff
he so fondly refers to as his “cabinet” – and yet he calls me “arrogant.”
That, in short form, is why I reiterate that the claims in Don’s March 22
memo are patently false and pathetically fabricated; that the basis for
the “suspension” is therefore unsound; and why I require your
intervention. This, and other recent incidents are characteristic of
greater problems at WBAI under the current administration.
Dan, I genuinely believe WBAI is in daily danger of descending deeper into
a behavioral and programmatic regime which serves the interests of current management through intellectual retrenchment, cronyism, lies, hostility, and cultural division. If unchecked, the current strategy will further alienate cross-cultural audience participation, further reduce financial support, further jeopardize network stability, and ultimately compromise the commitment to Pacifica’s founding principles with which we have been entrusted. We went through similar times several years ago, where you worked hard to restore this station and maintain its mission, which is once again in jeopardy. It’s apparently a never-ending struggle, but I am confident you share these concerns.
Meanwhile, I again request your intervention, lest I be reduced to
appearing at the upcoming Pacifica National Board meeting with a tin cup!
Hope to see you there, and best wishes.
– Robert Knight
c.c.: AFTRA, WBAI, Pacifica
Don't take Rojas assertions (in his letter) as fact! WBAIers well know of his mismanagement of the station & his dishonesty! Hear what the other side has to say!
Here is a letter from Knight to the Pacifica Executive Director, which addresses some of the charges by Rojas.
(And for those who don't know, Robert Knight is an excellent radio journalist who has continued his reporting in spite of a hostile workplace, until he was fired & prevented from recovering his materials from the station.)
Robert Knight
WBAI
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
25 March 2005
Dan Coughlin
Executive Director
Pacifica Foundation National Office
1925 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
Berkeley, California 94704
Dear Dan:
As you requested in our brief telephone conversation, this is my formal
admonition that you urgently rescind current WBAI station manager Don
Rojas’ improper month-long “suspension” of me – without pay(!). Once
again, his action is arbitrary, capricious, without progressive warning,
unsupported by facts, in violation of labor statutes and union agreements,
and at odds with Pacifica’s own principles and procedures.
Because of Don’s stubbornness and reckless disregard for such concerns, I am depending on you to reverse this act of vengeance, and guarantee that my due pay will indeed arrive, on schedule next week, as required. Don has already abused his authority by summarily ordering my exclusion from thecurrent payroll. Hence extraordinary remediation is required to arrange timely receipt of my wages, particularly as we approach a long,
double-holiday weekend.
As I shall document with fuller detail in subsequent memoranda (and future
venues, as may be necessary) – every statement in Don’s pretext for this
action is demonstrably false, and apparently motivated by reasons other
than the facts or merits of the situation.
Simply put, Don is accusing me of a laundry list of transparent
paper-trail falsities, including: refusing his directives,
insubordination, not reporting to supervisor(s), ignoring “several”
communications from our defective e-mail system, declining broadcast
opportunities, “insisting” on “an afternoon drive-time program currently
hosted by another producer,” and arrogance. .
In fact, I have – as directed – constantly reported to the news director,
consistent with Don’s instructions (this, despite a union challenge to
Don’s ill-defined and arbitrary reassignment, in addition to a hostile
workplace complaint).
Since I have not been “disobedient to authority,” I have, by definition,
not been insubordinate.
Furthermore, in my rôle as WBAI National Correspondent – which Don himself assigned me to – I have not “declined broadcast opportunities.” This is evidenced by my production and anchoring of, among other
projects, the Iraqi “elections”; the Presidential inauguration; the US national
election; both national political conventions and related protests;
Primary Sources, the series on the state-by-state primaries; Congressional
hearings; the 9/11 Commission hearings; etc., etc. Some of the broadcast
work Don claims I “declined” was even quoted in the London Independent
(the inauguration interview with Gore Vidal).
Neither have I tried to usurp another producer, when it is Don himself who
on more than one occasion promised and, before various venues, proposed me for an afternoon time slot. As a matter of honor, it was I, not Don, who respectfully apprised the host of my interest in the afternoon – but not to the exclusion of his show or towards his dismissal. We continue to enjoy warm, collegial relations.
As for communications, it is Don who, for months, has refused to talk to
me, in person or by phone, despite my repeated requests.
Finally, after many pleadings, Don reluctantly agreed to a March 22
face-to-face meeting on what he himself defined as “the structure and
content of the program that you have been assigned to produce and host for
this radio station.” Upon arrival, I was met with Don’s hostility and
abrupt redefinition of the session as being “about [my] status as an
employee” – a complete reversal of the meeting terms, suggesting he was
already contemplating punitive measures.
Don refused to proceed with my good faith effort to discuss the scheduled
topic of his “news magazine” idea. Furthermore, he angrily refused the
necessary participation of the WBAI department heads, whose coordination of resources and strategies in such a venture is essential. The 3-minute “meeting” concluded with his shouting at me to get out of his office.
During the conversation, I never uttered the words "you know nothing about radio."
On these matters I enjoy significant staff support, as well as the
unanimous backing of the WBAI department heads who had constructively
assembled to try and develop a practical strategy for Don’s incompletely
developed concept. Don refused the advise and counsel of the senior staff
he so fondly refers to as his “cabinet” – and yet he calls me “arrogant.”
That, in short form, is why I reiterate that the claims in Don’s March 22
memo are patently false and pathetically fabricated; that the basis for
the “suspension” is therefore unsound; and why I require your
intervention. This, and other recent incidents are characteristic of
greater problems at WBAI under the current administration.
Dan, I genuinely believe WBAI is in daily danger of descending deeper into
a behavioral and programmatic regime which serves the interests of current management through intellectual retrenchment, cronyism, lies, hostility, and cultural division. If unchecked, the current strategy will further alienate cross-cultural audience participation, further reduce financial support, further jeopardize network stability, and ultimately compromise the commitment to Pacifica’s founding principles with which we have been entrusted. We went through similar times several years ago, where you worked hard to restore this station and maintain its mission, which is once again in jeopardy. It’s apparently a never-ending struggle, but I am confident you share these concerns.
Meanwhile, I again request your intervention, lest I be reduced to
appearing at the upcoming Pacifica National Board meeting with a tin cup!
Hope to see you there, and best wishes.
– Robert Knight
c.c.: AFTRA, WBAI, Pacifica
In reference to the above post: "Robert Knight is a good journalist?" Please! What constitutes a good journalist in your mind, one-sided half truths peppered with opinion and and a sprinkling of florid, over-the-top language? One learns nothing by listening to Knight, or to Bernstein for that matter. If there is a nugget of truth in any of their reports, one can't hear it because it's too often buried among clunky East German style propaganda. My suggestion, why not take a journalism course at a local community college, or pick up a journalism text from your local library. Any resemblance between thoughtful, open-minded journalism and what Knight and Bernstein churn out is strictly coincidental.
While you're removing your name, why not remove yourself from anything to do with KPFA Blankfort? Isn't it about time you spread your venom and self-righteous bile around another organization? You and your ilk seem like the kind of folks who delight in ruining progressive organizations with your constant bleating and crying about issues within the organizations that don't concern you. It's the kind of behavior familiar to anyone who knows anything about government infiltration of left organizations. Come in, declare yourself more left than left, pillory anyone who disagrees, then leave the organization in a pile rubble from all the in-fighting you create. Classic stuff Blankfort, or should I say special agent Blankfort?
Thank you, Amanda, for your information about Dennis & his show, from an insider's perspective. This was much needed.
I want to discuss a few other points you raised - first of all about Jeff B's signature, he says that he originally did sign the letter, & was now retracting his signature. So nobody necessarily stole his endorsement. It could have been just a mistake.
The letter itself is good, otherwise, & Jeff has pointed out to us that Dennis's item doesn't belong there, as you are explaining. But the other, violent, incidents are important to censure (as Jeff believes).
I am glad to see news about the internal workings at KPFA on IndyMedia - that has been a valuable source of such information for me. Such letters are not necessarily attacks on the KPFA community, they are attempts to publicize issues which often have no other way of being communicated. The flaming & vitriole you mention is just something that occurs on IndyMedia, in the comments which are attached to articles on hot topics. Some of the commenters are purposedly destructive of the left (or "others" on the left). Others are just ignorant of the necessity & techniques of constructive criticism, & think it's productive just to vent. I count myself among those who have a lot to learn about constructive criticism, & I think you yourself could learn more about it, from reading your letter.
I am so glad to have a place like this to find & put out information not available elsewhere, as you just did. Understandably you are very angry, but please reread the original letter in a different mood, & ignore the stupid &/or purposely destructive replies. They are just an unfortunate fact of life here on IM, but best to ignore. The letter itself is not intended to undermine KPFA but to address a particular problem at the station & network, one that really does need to be addressed.
By the way, for other possible ways to inform us about governance conflicts, see my comment at:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/05/1742715_comment.php#1745398
But I would not want to squelch anybody's dissent even if badly expressed.
I want to discuss a few other points you raised - first of all about Jeff B's signature, he says that he originally did sign the letter, & was now retracting his signature. So nobody necessarily stole his endorsement. It could have been just a mistake.
The letter itself is good, otherwise, & Jeff has pointed out to us that Dennis's item doesn't belong there, as you are explaining. But the other, violent, incidents are important to censure (as Jeff believes).
I am glad to see news about the internal workings at KPFA on IndyMedia - that has been a valuable source of such information for me. Such letters are not necessarily attacks on the KPFA community, they are attempts to publicize issues which often have no other way of being communicated. The flaming & vitriole you mention is just something that occurs on IndyMedia, in the comments which are attached to articles on hot topics. Some of the commenters are purposedly destructive of the left (or "others" on the left). Others are just ignorant of the necessity & techniques of constructive criticism, & think it's productive just to vent. I count myself among those who have a lot to learn about constructive criticism, & I think you yourself could learn more about it, from reading your letter.
I am so glad to have a place like this to find & put out information not available elsewhere, as you just did. Understandably you are very angry, but please reread the original letter in a different mood, & ignore the stupid &/or purposely destructive replies. They are just an unfortunate fact of life here on IM, but best to ignore. The letter itself is not intended to undermine KPFA but to address a particular problem at the station & network, one that really does need to be addressed.
By the way, for other possible ways to inform us about governance conflicts, see my comment at:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/05/1742715_comment.php#1745398
But I would not want to squelch anybody's dissent even if badly expressed.
Dennis Bernstein was last seen mud wrestling with Matt Gonzales when Bill Mandel snuck in the back door and grabbed the mic. Chris Crass and Betina Martinez then came in and denounced the white privilege at KPFA. Caroline Casey said the stars were really fucked up that day. And Davey D. wasn't paying attention because he was hanging out with the grateful dead show guys. Weylon then got his feelings hurt so he move over to the poetry show. The anarcho youth were then given a 2 minute slot every 5th Monday at 4 am to shut them up. In other words there was chaos and the real counter-revolutinaries have seized the transmitter.
You're singing Bernstein's praises now Amanda, or whatever your name is. But just wait. Sooner of later you'll cross him and out the door you'll go just like all the rest. It's hardly a question of a New York personality. There are millions of New Yorkers working in professional settings and they are able to work with their co-workers in relative peace. Just look at the math. No one last there. They are eventually blotted out of the party congress photographs, just like those who dared confront Comrade Stalin all those decades ago. Who are these dedicated listeners you speak of. Ever fellow listener I know finds his show canned, predictable and not worth listening to. When does Bernstein confront power and ask hard questions? He never has anyone on who he doesn't agree with. It's just a case of him thumping his chest and his guest agreeing with him. What's all this nonsense about liberal v. radical and blah, blah, blah. Look around the American left is a marginal joke when compared to left movements in other parts of the world. It's mainly because of the likes of Bernstein, who offer no real substantive debate on crucial issues. Listen to mainstream foreign broadcasts for a taste of what real journalism should sound like. What Flashpoints puts out would make some minister of information in some erstwhile Stalinist state cringe.
Very curious. I am willing to sign my name to what I say and always have while the gutless and the idiotic have to hide being aliases. Who is the agent here? Look in the mirror. If you're not getting paid, they're saving money.
Who cares whether you post a name. Jeff Blankfort is probably not your real name. No self respecting agent would give his real name. If you want to see who the agent is just look at your record. All you do is sow discord and vitriol in the KPFA community in the name of being more left than anyone else. Classic agent M.O. You add nothing. You bring nothing positive to the table. Your goal is to drag the station down. You've been doing a grade A job of it for years now. This should get you a big promotion in the Bureau.
You're still hiding, coward. No surprise, but if you, or any one reading your nonsense, doubts my existence, they can just Google my name and see what they get re KPFA, Pacifica and a whole host of other issues, not the least of which is exposing Zionism and the Israel lobby's hold on both our political processes and much of the media. There probably isn't anything in there about the News Dept. directors fronting for the Democratic Party along with one long-time Morning Show host, so maybe it's time to write such an article. Thanks for the encouragement.
I've had my own disagreements with Jeff Blankfort, including some on this web site, but I've never had any reason to doubt that he tells the truth as he sees it.
Jeff, and a very few few others, were fighting the corporate takeover of KPFA long before most anybody even noticed it! And Jeff continues to make principled criticisms of the station, particularly the News Department.
The charge that people who criticize the shortcomings of left organizations are "agents" or "wreckers" is Stalinist-style slander, even if the people making the charge are unaware of their political ancestry. And when these people do their dirty work anonymously, it's reasonable to wonder who's paying THEIR salaries!
Jeff, and a very few few others, were fighting the corporate takeover of KPFA long before most anybody even noticed it! And Jeff continues to make principled criticisms of the station, particularly the News Department.
The charge that people who criticize the shortcomings of left organizations are "agents" or "wreckers" is Stalinist-style slander, even if the people making the charge are unaware of their political ancestry. And when these people do their dirty work anonymously, it's reasonable to wonder who's paying THEIR salaries!
If "objective journalism" means treating the claims of the powerful as if they were honest opinions to be debated rather than lies to be exposed, then KPFA News is indeed a better practitioner of "objective journalism" than is Robert Knight. (See http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/06/1746712_comment.php for a discussion of a particular instance of such journalism.)
On the other hand, if one wants a quick summary of what's actually happening in the world, one can't do better than listen to Robert Knight's few minutes at the start of each Monday-Thursday Flashpoints program.
BTW, I wonder if those who support KPFA's style of reporting on the words and actions of the U.S. government would want KPFA to apply the same "objective" style to reporting on the words and actions of, for example, the Ku Klux Klan or the Mafia?
On the other hand, if one wants a quick summary of what's actually happening in the world, one can't do better than listen to Robert Knight's few minutes at the start of each Monday-Thursday Flashpoints program.
BTW, I wonder if those who support KPFA's style of reporting on the words and actions of the U.S. government would want KPFA to apply the same "objective" style to reporting on the words and actions of, for example, the Ku Klux Klan or the Mafia?
Here Blankfort goes again with his barely disguised anti-semitic ramblings about a Zionist conspiracy running the world. Yaaawn. Where have we heard that before? Oh, I know, "Mein Kampf". Blankfort's over-the-top rhetoric can't be serious. His conspiracy mongering is just the type of thing an agent would do to try and disrupt and discredit the left. Hope the administration is paying you well special agent Blankfort. And for the other guy, if your understanding of the world comes from Robert Knight than your understanding must be very limited indeed.
Objectivity plus segments that are openly commentary are better than changing left wing news to be more openly left wing.
The extended segements on Palestine and Haiti on KPFA are great and give much better insight into the effects of the Occupations on the people than what mainstream news presents but I often find myself needing to lookup stuff on the AFP and AP when it comes to finding out details of the larger less human changes (like date changes for the Gaza pullout, conficts over the Palestinian election, and how CARICOM is trying to figure out how to deal with the dictatorship in Haiti under increasing US pressure). Trying to push politics too much into how news is covered can make it much harder to geta full picture about whats happening in a region. While power struggles between Palestinian factions isnt sexy in terms of being something you can use in an argument about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it is something that one needs to understand much of what will happen in the future. Just thinking about Palestine, KPFA's existinhg coverge sometimes glosses over details of news that isnt politically exciting in a way you actually see less in more openly leftwing publications like The World Socialist Website and Al Ahram. Putting pressure on KPFA that their news coverage isnt politically correct seems dangerous in that reducing news coverage or putting more open spin on news may take off some of the spin comming from the wireservices and statements of oficials being quoted but productive spin assumes that the person adding the spin really knows whats going on and when things are as unclear as the war in Iraq, Haiti and internal conflicts in the West Bank attempting to politically spin more is likely to just misinform people more than taking out of bias words (lie terrorist) in the AFP and AP wireservice copy in cases where there is no other source of news (in the case of Iraq getting original news from translated copy comming from the Middle Eastern Arab language media would be even better).
In terms of the coverage of the US there is a real risk that by setting up all debate to be one sided you will end up with an issolated Left with no ability to argue when confronted with voices from outside the Bay Area and other such areas. Shows like Democracy Now do include debate but it often seems like they choose the guests in order to set up straw men or present rather exterme versions of what Conservatives in the US believe. The way the religious right is dealt with is a case that always disturbs me; with the exception of some of the discussion presented when people talk about "What's the Matter with Kansas?", the driving force behind rural lower-middle class conservatism are rarely dealt with. I would much rather see news attempt to be nonbiased than try to make a political point but ultimately hurt its own cause by preaching to a base in a way that makes it harder for ideas to spread beyond a rathers static radical community. Concerns over news being "too mainstream" are worrying if the alternative will result in more agreeable news to existing radicals but fewer poeple who are not yet radicals hearing news that may convince them (radical attacks on liberals and moderates is similar in that movement building is made impossible when there is a polarization where the movement of people's views acrosss the political spectrum is halted by the moat dug out around the radical left in its attacks on those slightly too mainstream for its tastes).
The extended segements on Palestine and Haiti on KPFA are great and give much better insight into the effects of the Occupations on the people than what mainstream news presents but I often find myself needing to lookup stuff on the AFP and AP when it comes to finding out details of the larger less human changes (like date changes for the Gaza pullout, conficts over the Palestinian election, and how CARICOM is trying to figure out how to deal with the dictatorship in Haiti under increasing US pressure). Trying to push politics too much into how news is covered can make it much harder to geta full picture about whats happening in a region. While power struggles between Palestinian factions isnt sexy in terms of being something you can use in an argument about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it is something that one needs to understand much of what will happen in the future. Just thinking about Palestine, KPFA's existinhg coverge sometimes glosses over details of news that isnt politically exciting in a way you actually see less in more openly leftwing publications like The World Socialist Website and Al Ahram. Putting pressure on KPFA that their news coverage isnt politically correct seems dangerous in that reducing news coverage or putting more open spin on news may take off some of the spin comming from the wireservices and statements of oficials being quoted but productive spin assumes that the person adding the spin really knows whats going on and when things are as unclear as the war in Iraq, Haiti and internal conflicts in the West Bank attempting to politically spin more is likely to just misinform people more than taking out of bias words (lie terrorist) in the AFP and AP wireservice copy in cases where there is no other source of news (in the case of Iraq getting original news from translated copy comming from the Middle Eastern Arab language media would be even better).
In terms of the coverage of the US there is a real risk that by setting up all debate to be one sided you will end up with an issolated Left with no ability to argue when confronted with voices from outside the Bay Area and other such areas. Shows like Democracy Now do include debate but it often seems like they choose the guests in order to set up straw men or present rather exterme versions of what Conservatives in the US believe. The way the religious right is dealt with is a case that always disturbs me; with the exception of some of the discussion presented when people talk about "What's the Matter with Kansas?", the driving force behind rural lower-middle class conservatism are rarely dealt with. I would much rather see news attempt to be nonbiased than try to make a political point but ultimately hurt its own cause by preaching to a base in a way that makes it harder for ideas to spread beyond a rathers static radical community. Concerns over news being "too mainstream" are worrying if the alternative will result in more agreeable news to existing radicals but fewer poeple who are not yet radicals hearing news that may convince them (radical attacks on liberals and moderates is similar in that movement building is made impossible when there is a polarization where the movement of people's views acrosss the political spectrum is halted by the moat dug out around the radical left in its attacks on those slightly too mainstream for its tastes).
Since Mr. Shiftless Cable is still lacking the courage to step out from his poison pen attack on me, a classic COINTEL modus operandi, and sign his real name--and he is a guy without a doubt--I thought I would take the opportunity to afford anyone who hasn't tuned this thread out to check a few things I have written by going to the Left Curve web site:
Here's a piece on Noam Chomsky which will not appeal to the Shftless one: http://www.leftcurve.org/LC29WebPages/Chomsky.html and here's one, A War for Israel , http://www.leftcurve.org/LC28WebPages/WarForIsrael.html.
Here's a piece on Noam Chomsky which will not appeal to the Shftless one: http://www.leftcurve.org/LC29WebPages/Chomsky.html and here's one, A War for Israel , http://www.leftcurve.org/LC28WebPages/WarForIsrael.html.
WOOKIES!!!!
No thank you Blankey for helping to show your true colors with those screeds you posted. Go on sowing discord among the left while your pals the Bushies continue to whittle away at everything the left holds dear. You're earning your keep well. Oh and is that sexism I detect on your part, assuming I'm male. As if a woman is not smart enough to expose the likes of you for what you are: a disengenous blowhard and paid agent of the state.
>>You and your ilk seem like the kind of folks who delight in ruining progressive organizations with your constant bleating and crying about issues within the organizations that don't concern you.
Democracy?
Apparently 'shift cable' has no idea of what it means, like most the rest of the right-wing.
"You and your ilk" . . . give me a break! Who says this? I know of no one who speaks this way.
Democracy?
Apparently 'shift cable' has no idea of what it means, like most the rest of the right-wing.
"You and your ilk" . . . give me a break! Who says this? I know of no one who speaks this way.
--who *supports* the entrenched anti-democratic forces at KPFA and *still* is too pusillanimous and cowardly -- unlike Blankfort -- to use his name or even a regular moniker! (How many different people are you posing as in this thread alone, "gutless broken shift cable"?)
broken shift cable: "Go on sowing discord among the left while your pals the Bushies continue to whittle away at everything the left holds dear."
What left? I *usually* find out that its Democrat *Liberals* (or some right-winger situationally pretending to be a "leftist") who always say such things -- especially when they can't put up a valid argument and/or they have been intellectually defeated. That canned line of yours is usually a liberal (or hidden right-wing) lashing-out cover for, "I've got no viable intellectual arguments/defenses that you haven't punctured or demolished, so that line [also one of the last peudo-'leftist' refuges of a scoundrel] is what I've saved for last".
reader: " "You and your ilk" [quoting broken shift cable] . . . give me a break! Who says this?"
It's the canned phrase of a right-winger (like Pat Buchanan).
Otherwise, "gutless Zionist broken shift cable" -- so quick and strong to accuse others with his ready misdirection -- has the smell of (ADL if not Cointel) *bacon* about *him*!
broken shift cable: "Go on sowing discord among the left while your pals the Bushies continue to whittle away at everything the left holds dear."
What left? I *usually* find out that its Democrat *Liberals* (or some right-winger situationally pretending to be a "leftist") who always say such things -- especially when they can't put up a valid argument and/or they have been intellectually defeated. That canned line of yours is usually a liberal (or hidden right-wing) lashing-out cover for, "I've got no viable intellectual arguments/defenses that you haven't punctured or demolished, so that line [also one of the last peudo-'leftist' refuges of a scoundrel] is what I've saved for last".
reader: " "You and your ilk" [quoting broken shift cable] . . . give me a break! Who says this?"
It's the canned phrase of a right-winger (like Pat Buchanan).
Otherwise, "gutless Zionist broken shift cable" -- so quick and strong to accuse others with his ready misdirection -- has the smell of (ADL if not Cointel) *bacon* about *him*!
gutless *Zionist* BROKEN shift cable: "Ever fellow listener I know finds his [Bernstein's] show canned, predictable and not worth listening to."
You have to get outside the ADL offices.
Let's just cut-&-paste and put it all in one place. Now here we go-o...! (ZBsc to Blankfort) Hang on!:
gutless *Zionist* BROKEN shit (oops, shift) cable: " While you're removing your name, why not remove yourself from anything to do with KPFA Blankfort? Isn't it about time you spread your venom and self-righteous bile around another organization? You and your ilk seem like the kind of folks who delight in ruining progressive organizations with your constant bleating and crying about issues within the organizations that don't concern you. It's the kind of behavior familiar to anyone who knows anything about government infiltration of left organizations. Come in, declare yourself more left than left, pillory anyone who disagrees, then leave the organization in a pile rubble from all the in-fighting you create. Classic stuff Blankfort, or should I say special agent Blankfort?...Who cares whether you post a name. Jeff Blankfort is probably not your real name. No self respecting agent would give his real name. If you want to see who the agent is just look at your record. All you do is sow discord and vitriol in the KPFA community in the name of being more left than anyone else. Classic agent M.O. You add nothing. You bring nothing positive to the table. Your goal is to drag the station down. You've been doing a grade A job of it for years now. This should get you a big promotion in the Bureau. ...Here Blankfort goes again with his barely disguised anti-semitic ramblings about a Zionist conspiracy running the world. Yaaawn. Where have we heard that before? Oh, I know, "Mein Kampf". Blankfort's over-the-top rhetoric can't be serious. His conspiracy mongering is just the type of thing an agent would do to try and disrupt and discredit the left. Hope the administration is paying you well special agent Blankfort. And for the other guy, if your understanding of the world comes from Robert Knight than your understanding must be very limited indeed. ...No thank you Blankey for helping to show your true colors with those screeds you posted. Go on sowing discord among the left while your pals the Bushies continue to whittle away at everything the left holds dear. You're earning your keep well. Oh and is that sexism I detect on your part, assuming I'm male. As if a woman is not smart enough to expose the likes of you for what you are: a disengenous blowhard and paid agent of the state."
Talk about A(N EMPTY) BLOWHARD...!!
You have to get outside the ADL offices.
Let's just cut-&-paste and put it all in one place. Now here we go-o...! (ZBsc to Blankfort) Hang on!:
gutless *Zionist* BROKEN shit (oops, shift) cable: " While you're removing your name, why not remove yourself from anything to do with KPFA Blankfort? Isn't it about time you spread your venom and self-righteous bile around another organization? You and your ilk seem like the kind of folks who delight in ruining progressive organizations with your constant bleating and crying about issues within the organizations that don't concern you. It's the kind of behavior familiar to anyone who knows anything about government infiltration of left organizations. Come in, declare yourself more left than left, pillory anyone who disagrees, then leave the organization in a pile rubble from all the in-fighting you create. Classic stuff Blankfort, or should I say special agent Blankfort?...Who cares whether you post a name. Jeff Blankfort is probably not your real name. No self respecting agent would give his real name. If you want to see who the agent is just look at your record. All you do is sow discord and vitriol in the KPFA community in the name of being more left than anyone else. Classic agent M.O. You add nothing. You bring nothing positive to the table. Your goal is to drag the station down. You've been doing a grade A job of it for years now. This should get you a big promotion in the Bureau. ...Here Blankfort goes again with his barely disguised anti-semitic ramblings about a Zionist conspiracy running the world. Yaaawn. Where have we heard that before? Oh, I know, "Mein Kampf". Blankfort's over-the-top rhetoric can't be serious. His conspiracy mongering is just the type of thing an agent would do to try and disrupt and discredit the left. Hope the administration is paying you well special agent Blankfort. And for the other guy, if your understanding of the world comes from Robert Knight than your understanding must be very limited indeed. ...No thank you Blankey for helping to show your true colors with those screeds you posted. Go on sowing discord among the left while your pals the Bushies continue to whittle away at everything the left holds dear. You're earning your keep well. Oh and is that sexism I detect on your part, assuming I'm male. As if a woman is not smart enough to expose the likes of you for what you are: a disengenous blowhard and paid agent of the state."
Talk about A(N EMPTY) BLOWHARD...!!
What is likely is that shift cable (and maintaining that "f" in shift becomes ever more difficult with each successive oily message) is part of the "the junta" at KPFA or a wannabe be part of the clique that prostrated itself before Pat Scott (his lack of guts qualifies him for their fetid company) back in 1995 and paved the way for what was very close to being the destruction of Pacifica and KPFA. That these
collaborators were never brought before a Truth (let's skip the reconciliation bit, it didn't work in SA) Commission and still prance around the station, albeit at a slower pace than before, as if it were their private property, says where KPFA is at. Are you ready for another fundraiser to in July? And why do I think shiftless cable is a man? Because no woman would be so stupid and crude in expressing herself, even if she disagreed with me. It's the level of attack that gives him away.
collaborators were never brought before a Truth (let's skip the reconciliation bit, it didn't work in SA) Commission and still prance around the station, albeit at a slower pace than before, as if it were their private property, says where KPFA is at. Are you ready for another fundraiser to in July? And why do I think shiftless cable is a man? Because no woman would be so stupid and crude in expressing herself, even if she disagreed with me. It's the level of attack that gives him away.
Blankfort: "And why do I think shiftless cable is a man? Because no woman would be so stupid and crude in expressing herself, even if she disagreed with me. It's the level of attack that gives him away."
Of course.
Women can, of course, be stupid and petty, but it's (usually right-wing) men who can be stupid and petty and bombastically crude. Women don't typically use (also usually right-wing) tired cliche words like "screeds" (a favorite put-down of David Horowitz or one of our self-imported Zionist posters, David Gehrig: anyone he disagrees with has written a "screed").
A woman wouldn't typically use such exceedingly crude bombastic accusations like, "or should I say special agent Blankfort?", or "Where have we heard that before? Oh, I know, "Mein Kampf"": not even from Marnie (from the station board) -- and she can get pretty underhanded, snide, petty, nasty and crass. But you can also tell from his sheer crudeness and sheer lack of verbal sophistication, as demonstrated above by me (see above, 'Every sentence an intellectual gem of critical analysis'!), that the guy is pretty stupid (he rather obviously has quite a limited intellectual facility with language). Oh, and as his final ruse, he *pathetically* tries to pose as a possible feminist woman!
gutless *Zionist* BROKEN shift cable: "Your goal is to drag the station down."
If it had been left to people like the *cowardly* boor, ZBsc, in the 1990's -- instead of people who presciently tried to sound the alarm loud and early, but were ignored for a long time (also like Mariah Gilardin, who still hasn't been brought back to KPFA, and who was then called "Mariah the pariah" by *cowardly* people just like ZBsc, hiding out then, just as he's hiding out now, but taking crude pot shots from behind anonymity), the station would have long been *cleared* out and sold already to, ahem, Clear Channel (they mean what they say!).
Or KPFA might have been sold to Disney Corporation, with new KPFA station board member, Disney Corporation's executive financial officer, Marnie Tattersall -- virtually the *real* station board chair -- and doing the dead (I'm sure she's still working on it).
Of course.
Women can, of course, be stupid and petty, but it's (usually right-wing) men who can be stupid and petty and bombastically crude. Women don't typically use (also usually right-wing) tired cliche words like "screeds" (a favorite put-down of David Horowitz or one of our self-imported Zionist posters, David Gehrig: anyone he disagrees with has written a "screed").
A woman wouldn't typically use such exceedingly crude bombastic accusations like, "or should I say special agent Blankfort?", or "Where have we heard that before? Oh, I know, "Mein Kampf"": not even from Marnie (from the station board) -- and she can get pretty underhanded, snide, petty, nasty and crass. But you can also tell from his sheer crudeness and sheer lack of verbal sophistication, as demonstrated above by me (see above, 'Every sentence an intellectual gem of critical analysis'!), that the guy is pretty stupid (he rather obviously has quite a limited intellectual facility with language). Oh, and as his final ruse, he *pathetically* tries to pose as a possible feminist woman!
gutless *Zionist* BROKEN shift cable: "Your goal is to drag the station down."
If it had been left to people like the *cowardly* boor, ZBsc, in the 1990's -- instead of people who presciently tried to sound the alarm loud and early, but were ignored for a long time (also like Mariah Gilardin, who still hasn't been brought back to KPFA, and who was then called "Mariah the pariah" by *cowardly* people just like ZBsc, hiding out then, just as he's hiding out now, but taking crude pot shots from behind anonymity), the station would have long been *cleared* out and sold already to, ahem, Clear Channel (they mean what they say!).
Or KPFA might have been sold to Disney Corporation, with new KPFA station board member, Disney Corporation's executive financial officer, Marnie Tattersall -- virtually the *real* station board chair -- and doing the dead (I'm sure she's still working on it).
Good afternoon everyone. Greetings to the Board, and thank you for allowing me this moment. I shall attempt to speak briefly, because I just got in last night in the middle of the night.
I am jet lagged and I'm also gagged.
I am gagged from the air on WBAI because of a new regime that is even worse than the one during 2001, where there was a gag rule. But now there is a secret, punitive gag rule.
A court order said that we did not have that at WBAI -- and yet it is fully in effect. I am gagged.
I have been gagged for a month from a procedure to address the false, scurrilous, libelous charges made by Station Manager Don Rojas against myself, because of interference from the old regime inside the Pacifica administrative body.
I have been gagged from defending my reputation, and those of others who have tried in their best heart to restore this institution, and in particular the New York station, to the principles of Pacifica.
The statements that have been made by Don Rojas have been prolific, violative of my employee confidentiality, and thoroughly false, and have placed this institution in significant legal liability and jeopardy.
Suffice it to say that what Don Rojas has said about me is a pack of damn lies!
Now, I'd like to say that under the current administration of the former WBAI Station Manager, the former Pacifica Executive Director and the current Program Director -- that WBAI has become an opportunistic hotbed of racial antagonism that seeks to place in power a certain crew of people who do not represent the fullness of our audience. And that has been reflected in the loss of 13 marathons in a row-- 13 fundraisers in a row that have failed under this divide-- this divison of the audience.
This is worse than when Utrice Leid was Manager-- this is a period referred to as "Retricement".
I would just like to conclude with a warning that I brought to the Board months ago in March of this year, when certain affairs were happening. I'll just quote that-- I'll have a fuller statement tomorrow.
At that time I stated to the Board and to the Executive Director:
"I genuinely believe WBAI is in daily danger of descending deeper into a behavioral and programmatic regime which serves the interest of current Management through intellectual retrenchment, cronyism, lies, hostility and cultural division. If unchecked, the current strategy will further alienate cross-cultural audience participation, further reduce financial support, further jeopardize network stability and ultimately compromise the commitment to Pacifica's founding principles with which we have been entrusted."
Thank you.
I am jet lagged and I'm also gagged.
I am gagged from the air on WBAI because of a new regime that is even worse than the one during 2001, where there was a gag rule. But now there is a secret, punitive gag rule.
A court order said that we did not have that at WBAI -- and yet it is fully in effect. I am gagged.
I have been gagged for a month from a procedure to address the false, scurrilous, libelous charges made by Station Manager Don Rojas against myself, because of interference from the old regime inside the Pacifica administrative body.
I have been gagged from defending my reputation, and those of others who have tried in their best heart to restore this institution, and in particular the New York station, to the principles of Pacifica.
The statements that have been made by Don Rojas have been prolific, violative of my employee confidentiality, and thoroughly false, and have placed this institution in significant legal liability and jeopardy.
Suffice it to say that what Don Rojas has said about me is a pack of damn lies!
Now, I'd like to say that under the current administration of the former WBAI Station Manager, the former Pacifica Executive Director and the current Program Director -- that WBAI has become an opportunistic hotbed of racial antagonism that seeks to place in power a certain crew of people who do not represent the fullness of our audience. And that has been reflected in the loss of 13 marathons in a row-- 13 fundraisers in a row that have failed under this divide-- this divison of the audience.
This is worse than when Utrice Leid was Manager-- this is a period referred to as "Retricement".
I would just like to conclude with a warning that I brought to the Board months ago in March of this year, when certain affairs were happening. I'll just quote that-- I'll have a fuller statement tomorrow.
At that time I stated to the Board and to the Executive Director:
"I genuinely believe WBAI is in daily danger of descending deeper into a behavioral and programmatic regime which serves the interest of current Management through intellectual retrenchment, cronyism, lies, hostility and cultural division. If unchecked, the current strategy will further alienate cross-cultural audience participation, further reduce financial support, further jeopardize network stability and ultimately compromise the commitment to Pacifica's founding principles with which we have been entrusted."
Thank you.
On Wednesday, 27 July 2005, during an open meeting of the Local Station Board at Pacifica radio station WBAI in New York City, an unsigned article entitled "Knight Thief Caught Stealing on Video Camera" dated 13 May 2005, was distributed by a supporter of the ruling WBAI faction, the Justice and Unity Collective (JUC), to the meeting's participants. The material was distributed in the presence of Bernard White, the station's Program Director who recently removed Robert Knight from the WBAI airwaves by abruptly cancelling Mr. Knight's program Earthwatch.
The article appears to be a press release in the style of WBAI management led by former General Manager Don Rojas, Bernard White and the JUC collective. As stated in the text itself, the aim of this release is to "completely discredit Robert Knight in the Black journalist and activist circles." It also attacks colleagues of Mr. Knight at WBAI who have resisted the use of the JUC's crudest form of bigotry to destabilise the station's credibility and effectiveness.
Below are some of the libelous claims made against Mr. Knight in this press release:
1. Robert Knight is accused of quote stealing and copying confidential personnel files, including his own, from the office of the general management. Later the action is described as a break-in.
There was no break-in. The absentee manager's office was abandoned, as evidenced by furnishings covered in plastic canvass and an office door left wide open. Legally EVERY staff member has the right to access and examine the contents of his own personnel files, particularly in this case after the General Manager's REFUSAL of Robert Knight's request to see them. That was indeed the ILLEGAL act.
2. Quote: "Knight's employment at the station was terminated because of the theft."
According to a letter written earlier by Don Rojas to a former member of the Berkeley LSB and non-employee of Pacifica, Rojas stated as one of his "reasons" for firing Robert Knight his "bashing of management" when on Earthwatch Robert criticized the direction in which the station was moving, in the context of the Pacifica Mission Statement. Don's statement is evidence of a re-instatement of the supposedly long-abandoned gag rule. The sharing of this private information by Don Rojas with a person not employed by Pacifica demonstrates a breach of employer-employee confidentiality, which is ILLEGAL, and thus presents a potential liability risk for the Pacifica Foundation. This same letter was also distributed to many persons throughout the Pacifica network. It was Rojas' violations that fueled and fed this anti-progressive smear campaign not seen since the 1960s.
3. Quote: Knight has been the subject of four separate investigation at WBAI this year alone.
Robert Knight was not the "subject" of anything; it was Robert himself who initiated all of the actions in order to seek redress for professional injustices meted out to him by WBAI management.
There are equally ridiculous claims whose only purpose it is to sow seeds of doubt, which is the lifeblood of the old Pacifica and the backbone of Robert's career.
Because of Robert's forthright, astute and popular criticism of the Justice and Unity Collective, it was to be expected that he would be attacked in this way by them. This press release smacks of nothing more than the political smear campaigns of the past. This treatment of Mr. Knight, a very popular, award winning investigative journalist, is one in a line of such treatment towards anyone opposing the bigotry of the Justice and Unity Collective. The JUC under the leadership of the current Program Director, Bernard White and vindictive former General Manager, Don Rojas, are collectively carrying out the government's work for them in their transparent attempts to destroy a journalist and to neutralize a progressive radio station. Expect more of the same from them.
The article appears to be a press release in the style of WBAI management led by former General Manager Don Rojas, Bernard White and the JUC collective. As stated in the text itself, the aim of this release is to "completely discredit Robert Knight in the Black journalist and activist circles." It also attacks colleagues of Mr. Knight at WBAI who have resisted the use of the JUC's crudest form of bigotry to destabilise the station's credibility and effectiveness.
Below are some of the libelous claims made against Mr. Knight in this press release:
1. Robert Knight is accused of quote stealing and copying confidential personnel files, including his own, from the office of the general management. Later the action is described as a break-in.
There was no break-in. The absentee manager's office was abandoned, as evidenced by furnishings covered in plastic canvass and an office door left wide open. Legally EVERY staff member has the right to access and examine the contents of his own personnel files, particularly in this case after the General Manager's REFUSAL of Robert Knight's request to see them. That was indeed the ILLEGAL act.
2. Quote: "Knight's employment at the station was terminated because of the theft."
According to a letter written earlier by Don Rojas to a former member of the Berkeley LSB and non-employee of Pacifica, Rojas stated as one of his "reasons" for firing Robert Knight his "bashing of management" when on Earthwatch Robert criticized the direction in which the station was moving, in the context of the Pacifica Mission Statement. Don's statement is evidence of a re-instatement of the supposedly long-abandoned gag rule. The sharing of this private information by Don Rojas with a person not employed by Pacifica demonstrates a breach of employer-employee confidentiality, which is ILLEGAL, and thus presents a potential liability risk for the Pacifica Foundation. This same letter was also distributed to many persons throughout the Pacifica network. It was Rojas' violations that fueled and fed this anti-progressive smear campaign not seen since the 1960s.
3. Quote: Knight has been the subject of four separate investigation at WBAI this year alone.
Robert Knight was not the "subject" of anything; it was Robert himself who initiated all of the actions in order to seek redress for professional injustices meted out to him by WBAI management.
There are equally ridiculous claims whose only purpose it is to sow seeds of doubt, which is the lifeblood of the old Pacifica and the backbone of Robert's career.
Because of Robert's forthright, astute and popular criticism of the Justice and Unity Collective, it was to be expected that he would be attacked in this way by them. This press release smacks of nothing more than the political smear campaigns of the past. This treatment of Mr. Knight, a very popular, award winning investigative journalist, is one in a line of such treatment towards anyone opposing the bigotry of the Justice and Unity Collective. The JUC under the leadership of the current Program Director, Bernard White and vindictive former General Manager, Don Rojas, are collectively carrying out the government's work for them in their transparent attempts to destroy a journalist and to neutralize a progressive radio station. Expect more of the same from them.
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