[grc] Healthy Station Project and Pacifica

[evan at iwaynet.net]

If I recall, certain provisions of the HSP, such as the requirement that
the subscribing station show successive increases in it's "market share"
(number of listeners) hooked stations in to a cycle of financial
dependency, which, in turn, made them disinclined to offer programs that
appealed to too narrow a demographic to be financially rewarding. Thus the
emphasis shifted from the quality and depth of programs in terms of how
WELL they serve a unique constituency to how WEALTHY a constituency a
program can attract . That's a trajectory that is hostile to diversity,
creativity, exploration and relevance. It's undoubtedly why some NPR
affiliates are stillrunning "Car Talk" more than a year after Iit ceased
production, and why my local NPR station has been re-running a locally
produced Blues show that ceased production 5 years ago. "It 's our
highest-grossing music program", the manager explained.
 Here's to your "healthy".

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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>
>
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