The Coup d'etat at Pacifica - radio stations move from local to central control

Ironically (and to the horror of many leftists), a portion of the left actually signed the 1999 letter circulated by Saul Landau (a well-known left expert on Cuba and Chile) which defended the Pacifica management's actions. Some of the signers are people trying, for example, to contest corporate globalization, a subject that would have engendered serious, critical examination by Goodman and the old WBAI but is likely to be ignored or treated perfunctorily by the "new Pacifica." (The Washington station WPFW has been notoriously uninterested in protests against not only the dominant political party conventions but those against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.) The lack of left solidarity is equaled only by the sheer shortsightedness and stupidity of helping to destroy a media institution that was a natural ally, if not part, of the left itself.

The battle over Pacifica and WBAI isn't over. It is encouraging to note that Blair's New York Times article addressed the WBAI takeover in a negative light for both the tactics employed and the implied violation of the foundation's organizational purpose. And as we go to press, protests are underway, lawsuits have been filed, and a court injunction is being sought to prevent Pacifica's board from amending the bylaws.

I urge all who share my belief in the necessity of maintaining diversity in broadcasting and a progressive voice to act now. So far 3,420 people have signed declarations supporting the suit filed by the Committee to Remove the Pacifica Board. You can add your support by logging onto the website home.pon.net/ wildrose/remove.htm and signing the declaration. Help preserve free speech on the airwaves.

Edward S. Herman is professor emeritus of finance at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley and has written extensively on economics, political economy, foreign policy, and media analysis. This article is adapted from a piece published by ZNet Commentary on the Internet.

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