KPFA Management Supported By "Concerned Listeners" Blocks Publicity On Oct 27 Anti-War Ral

Organizers for the October 27 rally against the war which will be held in San Francisco on Saturday
have been told by KPFA management that they will not play any radio carts encouraging people
to attend the rally. This follows Sasha Lilley's reprimand of KPFA programmer Miguel Molina for
encouraging people to attend the last anti-war rally.
Apparently they are concerned that it will interfere with their fund raising efforts and also maybe
discourage supporters of the war from donating to KPFA.
Go figure.

On March 16th, KPFA's Interim Program Director issued a controversial directive. Many have commented on it, some pro and some con. Three experienced attorneys did not support it. They are Richard Phelps, John Crigler and Dan Siegel. Their statements are below, along with the directive and a letter of rebuke to a programmer who violated it the day before it was issued.



SASHA LILLEY'S MEMO
Text of Interim Program Director Sasha Lilley's directive to KPFA staff
From: Sasha Lilley ipd [at] kpfa.org
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:25:19 -0700 (PDT)
To: kpfa-staff [at] mailinglists.kpfa.org
Subject: KPFA Staff: Calls to action

With a number of demonstrations planned to mark the fourth anniversary of the US occupation of Iraq, we wanted to remind programmers that they cannot actively urge listeners to attend events over KPFA's airwaves because of issues of liability. This is the case whether during a regular program or a special remote broadcast.
If damage suits stem from injuries suffered at an event, KPFA could be held liable for actively urging participation. If a guest encourages participation, our liability may be less, but KPFA would still be held liable. Such "calls to action" include telling listeners to "come down to the rally" or saying "you should join us here", etc. However, it is fine to announce demonstrations and their locations or to direct people to kpfa.org/demonstrations for more information on rallies in their area.
Thanks for your cooperation!
Sasha Lilley
Interim Program Director
***********

SASHA LILLEY SCOLDS A VIOLATOR
The first programmer to violate Sasha Lilley's directive was Miguel Molina. In fact, he violated it on March 15, the day before it was issued. Below is Sasha Lilley's letter rebuking Miguel Molina:
March 16, 2007
To: Miguel Molina
Re: Call to Action on Flashpoints

While Hosting Flash Points on Thursday 3/15, you urged people to attend the rally scheduled for Sunday 3/18 at Civic Center Plaza by telling listeners to “be there”.
Due to issues of liability, KPFA programmers are not permitted to urge listeners to attend an event. If damage suits stem from injuries suffered at an event, KPFA could be held liable for actively urging participation.
Last Year, on March 22nd, following a remote broadcast from a rally in San Francisco, Chief engineer Michael Yoshida sent a memo to you and the other producers of the rally asking you to be aware of and prevent such language in future broadcasts.
This is a second notification.
KPFA program hosts may not actively urge listeners to attend events. This is the case whether during a regular program or a special remote broadcast.
Thank you for your cooperation
Sasha Lilley
Interim Program Director