[grc] Healthy Station Project and Pacifica

[Heather Gray]

Dear all:

Regarding Pacifica and the HSP there is much to say. I know there was a
question about the HSP and the desire by the powers that be to only have
music rather than public affairs. How did it effect Pacifica? I can't answer
that definitively and I know that Andrew Phillips took a stab at it but
whatever it is the network is so important to a huge constituency around the
country. It's voice resonates throughout the country in so many ways.
Whatever HSP meant to Pacifica years ago it did not ever silence its voice
thankfully. 

Nevertheless, somehow HSP is always the elephant in the room. What we were
told in Atlanta was that, at the time, many NPR producers were being laid
off and they were seeking another outlet and that community radio was a
possible venue for them. Whether or not that's true is another question for
GRC folks ­ have you heard this?

Regarding music, it is my understanding  that the entire WWOZ board in New
Orleans resigned when or just before the station went HSP. Prior to that I
understand it was very diverse with public affairs and music ­ it is now
primarily or only jazz as a result of HSP. I also know that many community
radio stations debate this issue today as they did in the past ­ whether to
pay producers or not ­ and whether it is worth the risk to do so.

While Pacifica seemingly accepted some of the HSP model,  it most certainly
did not take it all and it not only offers a music venue  in many ways but
produces excellent public affairs as you know on a wide array of topics. So
it pays some but not all producers.

I also need to say why to me Pacifica is so important. On the whole,
thankfully, Pacifica has led and is leading the way in so many aspects and
venues in challenging the powers that be in government and the corporate
world. Truly, Pacifica is the 4th estate in the important role of media
which is to observe, reveal and provide information about the other three
estates being the executive branch, the legislative branch and the court
system. It is able to do this because of its incredible reputation and
respect it has in progressive circles throughout the country and the world
for that matter. We have no other entity or network like this in the
country.

> Media as the "Fourth Estate"
> 
> Access to information is essential to the health of democracy for at least two
> reasons. First, it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices
> rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. Second, information
> serves a "checking function" by ensuring that elected representatives uphold
> their oaths of office and carry out the wishes of those who elected them.
> 
> In the United States, the media is often called the fourth branch of
> government (or "fourth estate"). That's because it monitors the political
> process in order to ensure that political players don't abuse the democratic
> process. (from the University of San Francisco)

I maintain, however, that we should refer to media as the "fifth estate" and
that the 4 estates preceding would be the executive, legislative, judicial
and corporate branches ­ Pacifica, and most of us in radio, report on all
these branches.

Pacifica is also, after all, the fount of it all when it comes to listener
sponsored stations and has much to celebrate. With Lew Hill, as you know, it
started the model 65 years ago. It is a precious entity.

I think, however, that if radio stations (Pacifica and others) choose to pay
some producers with a mixture of both paid and unpaid producers that there
should be policies in place that honor the commitment of all producers
whether they are paid or not and that paid producers should not be given
special status. Ursula Ruedenberg of Pacifica maintains the community radio
producers are so special in that combined, in a radio station, they know
virtually every group in their area. I most certainly agree with her. All
told, in our radio stations we represent thousands and likely millions or
workers, farmers, justice advocates, executives, attorneys, plumbers,
musicians on and on and on all over the country. This needs to be and I know
is largely honored in our incredibly important Pacifica and community radio
stations.

Peace,

Heather Gray
WRFG-Atlanta





On 10/30/14 4:15 PM, "MichaelP" <papadop at peak.org> wrote:

> 
> I mentioned Jesse WSalker as a book-writer, but I must add Marty Durlin
> and Cathy Melio also as authors we know best as the creator/founders  of
> the GRC
> 
> MichaelP 
> GRC's ex  alie anarchist and atheist listcop
> On Thu, 30 Oct 2014, MichaelP wrote:
> 
> 
> 
>  I can reach back into pails-ful of e- archival material - the idea HSP came
> out
> of nowhere good, it reflected a distaste for community and democracy and merit
> and there is a lot of Google stuff available.
> 
> I was then (as I continue to be) based in Oregon so I never got the
> complete picture as it might have been presented from inside Pacifica, or even
> from inside NFCB, but it loked like an excuse for turning Pacifica specrum
> into
> dollars.
> 
> But in ordert to avoid taint I'm content to forward this URL
> 
> <http://freepacifica.savegrassrootsradio.org/fp/healthystation.htm >
> 
> for those who seem to be unaware of the what's and the why's that was driving
> the grc-folk into existence
> 
> 
> And you might wish to learm from Jesse Walker who may still be alive and well.
> 
> Michael
> grc's  one-time alien,anarchist and atheist listcop.
> 
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