WBAI
Folio
from the
Pacifica
Radio Archives
This cover sheet created by
Internet Archive for formatting
THE PROGRAM GUIDE FOR JAN.-FEB. 1998
BAI
99.5 FM
LISTENER-SUPPORTED RADIO
PROGRAM
GUIDE &
SUPER
SPECIALS
(PAGES 3-5)
ADVISORY
BOARD
SEEKS NEW
MEMBERS
(PAGE 7)
Mandela's Farewell
A Warrior's Legacy
See Program Highlights, Page 3
o
j
2
I
CO
B
i
z
<
WBAI: Onward To The Next Millennium
By Samori Marksman
WBAI Program Director
WBAI's staff wishes to extend our heart-
felt love and solidarity to all who continue to
make this the most important radio station in
the world. And as 1998 takes us closer to the
end of this millennium and the dawning of
another, we invite you into a closer relation-
ship and even stronger solidarity that will
take us into the Year 2000 and far beyond.
In just about a year from now, WBAI will
join the other Pacifica stations in marking the
50th anniversary of the founding (in 1949) of
the Pacifica Foundation. While some Pacifica
and dozens of other community radio stations
are trapped in the paralysis of doubt, frustra-
tion, surrender and uncertainty about life
without, or with reduced, support from the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, we at
WBAI are enthusiastically continuing to pur-
sue a course built principally on strong,
expanded programming and an enduring
bond with our listeners.
The Course We Set
We set out on this course at the beginning
of 1994, when we articulated the following
goals:
( 1 ) To increase our listenership by at least
1 00,000 by the Year 2000;
(2) To triple our subscribership during the
same period;
(3) To increase dramatically the capital
we raise from our own programming and
related activities;
(4) To enhance in fundamental ways the
station's ability to have profound impact on
the social lives of our listeners -a fulfillment
of Pacifica's mission.
When we made these proposals in 1994,
we also stressed that no station could
progress beyond the point where we are
now unless the surplus generated by listen-
ers' contributions-in excess of each sta-
tion's budget-was put back into opera-
tions to hire new, more competent staff,
purchase necessary equipment and pro-
mote the station.
The Strides We Have Made
We at WBAI, executing on our plan, have
made spectacular progress. (Please take a
good look at the charts provided. They were
prepared by Allen Markman. WBAI's sub-
scriptions director, based on verified informa-
tion from Pacifica headquarters.)
In January 1 994, we had a total of 1 1 ,600
active subscribers. By 1997, we increased
that number to over 17,000.
The largest amount raised in a single
fund-raising drive was $406,(K)0 (in January
1991. during the Gulf War). We redefined and
retooled our approach to fund-raising, and
TRACKING OUR PROGRESS
WBAI's progress took a definitive
turn in 1 994, when we undertook a
course of action to put us on the
road to growth and progress.
The top chart represents the growth
in our fall subscriber base from
1994 to 1997- going from 11,600
to more than 1 7,000 subscribers.
The bottom chart shows our fund-
raising pledge growth from 1 987
through 1997. Note the dramatic
increases beginning in 1994 to the
precedent-setting $1 million raised
in our Winter 1996 drive. WBAI
has performed at that level, and
surpassed it, since then.
STAYING ON COURSE
registered $1 million in January 1996.
In 1995, we took the historic step of orga-
nizing an on-air, fund-raising effort to com-
pletely rebuild our deteriorated and antiquat-
ed studios. No support came to us from
Pacifica or from any other source; it was truly
an independent effort. We were able, solely
with listener support, to install some of the
most modern equipment available and even
hire two new producers.
Progress and Problems
But there are problems. Given the manner
in which Pacifica currently is organized, we
have not been able to take full advantage of
the windfalls we should yield from the signif-
icant strides we have made.
The structure which determines that the
local stations pay a percentage of their earn-
ings to the national office for essential ser-
vices such as legal counsel, insurance, pay-
roll and other critical functions does not per-
mit us to use any additional capital we gener-
ate to promote growth and development at the
local level.
This quagmire severely limits progress. In
effect, it hamstrings our ambitious (and very
achievable) 1994 plan. Still, we persevere.
Your Concerns Are Our Concerns
Many of you have been extremely gener-
ous in your support of WBAI. Many of you
share our concerns and have voiced them. We
take you very seriously.
You are correct to express concerns about
enhancing WBAI's organic links with various
communities. You are correct, too, to point
out that this wonderful station should be
reaching more listeners than the 200,000 who
currently listen to us. In that regard, we ask
you to be mindful of a number of critical fac-
tors.
WBAI operates in the densest radio mar-
ket in the country. We are limited, by the
Federal Communications Commission, to a
frequency of 50,000 watts. Compare this, for
example, to the 1 12,000 watts owned by our
sister station, KPFK. in Los Angeles.
Some have quipped that if the regional
population were to be divided mathematically
by the number of stations in the New York
metropolitan area, the average total would
mean that our weekly listener cume would be
roughly 240.000.
This issue of expanding our listener base
is of great concern to us, and we are commit-
ted to pushing in that direction.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
In January, Special Programs That Sizzle
3
r
By Mario A. Murillo
Public Affairs Director
Happy New Year, folks!
As usual, we're kicking off the new year
with yet another membership drive loaded
with informative, entertaining specials and
regularly scheduled programs. Once again,
our goal is $1 million. If we make it, it'll be
an unprecedented three consecutive million-
dollar drives. With your support, we know we
can do it.
To achieve our goal, we'll be shifting
around the regular program schedule a bit to
give producers more space to develop their
specials.
From Jan. 12-29, there'll be a number of
preemptions and some minor time shifts. Stay
tuned for details about your favorite pro-
grams, but for now mark these dates and
times on your calendar so as not to miss some
of the best public-affairs shows on the radio
dial. (Of course, there'll be a lot more!)
MONDAY, JAN. 12
6 a.m. to noon
Wake Up Call/Democracy Now!
Join Bernard White. Amy Goodman and
the entire Morning Show crew as they kick
off the Winter 1998 Membership Drive.
They'll do a special report. The Mandelas,
looking at the lives of two of South Africa's
most-recognized figures, and the legacy
they'll bequeath a new South Africa.
The program will feature highlights of
President Nelson Mandela's farewell speech
to the 50th Conference of the African
National Congress held in December and a
roundtable discussion about the future of the
ANC and the ongoing struggle to end white
supremacy in South Africa.
At 9 a.m., Democracy Now! continues the
discussion on Mandela, the ANC and South
Africa, immediately followed by an extended
edition of Wake Up Call.
7 p.m. to midnight
Four Directions
Native American lymphologist Dr. William
Martin will grab you with an extensive look
at the spiritual and physical cleansing that is
necessary in order to achieve health and well-
ness. He'll be joined by a number of special
guests and will take your calls in this five-
hour health workshop on the air.
FUND-RAISING DRIVE
JAN. 12-29
The legacy of Winnie and Nelson Mandela is the focus of a special report on
Jan. 1 2. Join Bernard White and Amy Goodman, from 6 a.m. to noon.
White Lie, Levine and several special guests
will dissect the many contradictions in U.S.
drug-control policy and intelligence practices
worldwide.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Positive Mind
Host Armand DiMele goes to your head in
this extended edition of his mind-probing
weekly show. Stay tuned for details.
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Explorations
Dr. Michio Kaku, in this three-hour special,
presents a rebroadcast of his exciting four-
part series, "Visions: How Science Will
Revolutionize the 21st Century," based on the
book of the same title.
He also will share never-before-heard materi-
al from some of his recent presentations
made during his national book tour.
THURSDAY, JAN. 15
7 p.m. to midnight
Afrikaleidescope
On tonight's five-hour special, Elombe
Brath and company look at recent develop-
ments in Africa and feature highlights of an
international symposium on Africa held in
London in November. Then, they will exam-
ine the controversial Steven Spielberg film,
Amistad. setting the historical record straight.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
The Gulf War and the current state of
affairs in the Middle East on Jan. 20,
from 7 p.m. to midnight, with Barbara
Nimri Aziz.
TUESDAY, JAN. 13
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Health Action
Hosts Bob Lederer, Kathy Davis and
Nicholas Cimorelli take a close-up look at
how combining traditional and Western heal-
ing modalities can help you achieve better
health, prevent illness, and make coping with
chronic disease much easier.
7 p.m. to midnight
Expert Witness
Join Michael Levine, 25-year veteran of the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and
court-certified expert witness, in this five-
hour investigation into the U.S. drug war.
Apart from the revelations in his critically
acclaimed works Deep Cover and The Big
THE WEEK'S PROGRAMMING
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
6:00 ►
THROUGH THE
OPERA GLASS
Regina Fiorito-Sokol
Anthony Coggi
Monyo la Bruja
WAKE UP CALL
BERNARD WHITE, AMY GOODMAN & SANTIAGO NIEVES (FRIDAY)
HOUR OF THE WOLE
(cont.)
4 6:00
7:00 ►
AS 1 PLEASE
Simon loekle
4 7:00
txto*-
4 8:00
ANY SATURDAY
David Rothenberg
9:00 »»
HERE OF A
SUNDAY
MORNING
Chris Whent
DEMOCRACY NOW! Amy Goodman
<M0
10:00 1*
MORNING MUSIC
•4 10:00
UKXI^
HARD WORK
Mike Feder
ALL MIXED UP
Peter Bochan
LA NUEVA
ALTERNATIVA
Gonzalo Aburto
RADIO
KANKAAN
Diabel Faye
SHOCKING BLUE
Delphine Blue
LUNCHPAIL
Paul Gorman
•4 11:00
Noon*-
IEVOND TH! Hit
the progressive jewish
iadk) houi (jerej)
Esther Kn^on, Moftyti Nwnvt
NATURAL LIVING Gary Null
AL LEWIS LIVE
4 noon
IHX>E»-
LATINO JOURNAL
Santiago Nieves
TALK MOORE
Morjone Moore
Gin PANTHER REPORT
Irdotagpr
HI AllH Alii OH
Nxhota Crw tl C Bob Ltdm
THE POSITIVE MIND
Annond DiMele
URBAN HEALTH BUT
John Harris
HEA1THSTVUS
WBAI Wrap, did
Htotlti CotVlM
•4 1:00
RADIO FREE
EIREANN
MidDewon
John McOonoogh
2:00 ►
RITMO Y
ACHE
Noncy Rodriguez
BUILDING BRIDGES: YOUR
COMMUNITY 4 LABOR REPORT
fan Nash I Mm Rasentwg
THE
LIZ HOITZMAH SHOW
ROSEMARI
MEALY
WALDEN'S POND
Shefton Walden
TBA
4 2:00
3HX)I*
TALKBACK!
UtTice Leid & Howard Jordan (Friday)
GUTBUCKET
MATINEE
Tom Mitchelson
Jasper McGruder
■4 3:00
4^)0 ►
NEW WORLD
GALLERY
Chico Alvarez
44*0
5:00 ►
BEHIND THE NEWS
Samori Marksman, Doug Hemwood, Morio Murillo (Our Americas)
4 5:00
6:00 ►
SUNDAY NEWS
THE WBAI EVENING NEWS
LIQUID SOUND
LOUNGE
Jeannie Hopper
•4 6:00
OUT-FM
7:00 ►
FAIR DINKUM
Helen Cokkoti
EXPERT WITNESS
Michael Lewie
EXPLORATIONS
Di. Mktiio Kaku
HOUSING NOTEBOOK
Scott Somer
COUHTERSHH (FUR)
4 7:00
GOLDEN AGE
OF RADIO
Max Schmid
UTION RUGUINi
8:001*
4 DIRECTIONS
OFF THE HOOK
Emmanuel Goldstein
the personal
computer show
Jot Kjng, Honk 1st, ftnt BunMn
WHERE WE UVB
Sot, 01m
SttSpotUaiAbu, IsooIUjto
HOME FRIES
Fred Herschkowitz
4 8:00
9:00 ►
EMANATIONS
(MUM
HO NATIONS
Rom
A8AI VOICES,
CRESCENT USING
Bottom Nimn Am
RADIO
IANDUNC
MRIMUIMSCOfE
floooj 8iultt, DoDlro l«ta
MORNING
DEW
lance Neol
49*0
10:00l»
JUST JAZZ
Kim Santos
STOLEN MOMENTS
Mahmoud Ibrahim
CITY IN EXILE
Motthew Finch, Janet Coleman, Martha Grader, Dovid D. Wright & the WBAI Ministry of Culture
JAZZ SAMPLER
Bill Farrar
4 10:00
M:00*-
NEWS REBROADCAST
4 11:00
Midnight E»
'HUFF SAID
Ken Gale, Ed Menje
HEART TIME
Codetta Joy Walker
MOORISH ORTHODOX
RADIO CRUSADE
Pelti lomtwn WiKon. M
WembMg, Sharon Ctsgwy,
Amt^one Hendrrison
EARTHWATCH
Robert Knight
RADIO
UNNAMEABLE
Bob Fass
THE CREATIVE UNITY
COLLECTIVE
SHOW
THE MIDNIGHT
RAVERS
terry Wilson,
Dio, Ben Mopp,
Died Scott Keyes
LABBRISH
Habte Selassie
' Mto ntgnt
l:00»>
CARRIER WAVE
Sidney Smith
BACK OF THE
BOOK
R. Paul Martin
4 1:00
PERSON TO
PERSON
Toni Short
Brother Shine
TBA
LET 'EM TALK
Paul DeRienzo
Fly
2:00 ►
•4 2:00
NIGHTFLYTE
Chet Jackson
3:00 ►
LIGHT
SHOW
Frederick Geobold.
Eddie Goldman, Bienda
Black, Evon Ginzburg
•4 3:00
EVERYTHING
OLD IS
NEW AGAIN
David Kenney
MASS
BACKWARDS
Mox Schmid
NIGHT DRUM
Brother Shine
Shoion I Harper
PUNK I HARDCORE
Susan Blown
NIGHTSHIFT
Mike Sorgent
Byron Saunders
CROSSTOWN
TRAFFIC
Gregory Amoni
lace
4:00 ►
4 4:00
500 ►
HOUR OF THE WOLF
Jim f round
C0SMIK DEBRIS
Rocky & Pandora
4 5:00
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
FRIDAY, JAN. 16
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Our Americas
All eyes are on Cuba as the historic visit
of Pope John Paul II, scheduled for the end of
January, draws near. It comes within a month
of the 39th anniversary of the triumph of the
Cuban Revolution and at a time that the
Cuban economy continues to rebound from
years of stagnation and U.S. -instigated sanc-
tions.
What impact will the pope's visit have on
Cuba's socialist experiment? What has been
the nature of the relationship between the
church and the government of Cuba?
We'll explore these and other salient issues in
this four-hour special edition of Our
Americas: The Weekly Report on Latin
America and the Caribbean.
SATURDAY, JAN. 17
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Al Lewis Show
Indefatigable Grandpa (the role he played in
the TV sitcom The Munsters) settles into a
different time slot this morning and teams up
with veteran historian William Loren Katz
to explore race relations, the human-rights
struggle and the failure of schools to ade-
quately educate our children.
1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Radio Free Eireann
Stay tuned for details.
MONDAY, JAN. 19
6 a.m. to noon
Wake Up Call/Democracy Now!
WBAI celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
life and legacy with this all-day special.
It starts with the morning crew and continues
in the afternoon with Utrice Leid on
Talkback from 2 to 6 p.m. Stay tuned for
more details.
ADI9
NOW AIRS AT
1:30-3 P.M.
ON SATURDAYS
W
1
Master drummer Babatunde Olatunji feted on Diabel Faye's Radio Kankaan on Jan. 21
TUESDAY, JAN. 20
7 p.m. to midnight
Arab Voices/Crescent Rising
Barbara Nimri Aziz and friends are in their
new time slot and present this special look
back at the Gulf War and the current state of
affairs in the Middle East-from the current
tensions with Iraq to the failure of the Israeli-
Palestinian peace process.
In the Arts, Too,
We're Smokin'
By Matthew Finch
Arts Director
As the weather turns colder, there's more
reason than ever to huddle up close to the ol'
radio.
In December, WBAI premiered its new
music program. Gutbucket Matinee
(Saturdays, 3-6 p.m.). Co-hosts Tom
Mitchelson and Jasper McGruder bring a
wealth of knowledge to this blues-based pro-
gram-from music to radio, poetry to theater,
teaching to directing, to the fine art of home
cooking.
Already, the response to the program has
been huge, and the Gutbucket will be open
from 1-6 p.m. on Jan. 24 for a special birth-
day salute to the great broomduster himself,
Elmore James.
The Liquid Sound Lounge and Morning
Dew will celebrate their expanded Saturday
slots with specials on Jan. 17, 5 p.m. to mid-
night ("Morning Dew"), and the following
Saturday, the 24th, 6 p.m. to midnight
("Liquid Lounge").
Delphine Blue will bring her yearly
countdown. The Best of '97, into fund-rais-
ing mode in four specials- Jan. 15, 16, 22 and
23.
Diabel Faye will celebrate master drum-
mer Babatunde Olatunji on Radio Kankaan
Jan. 21.
All five broadcasters will kick off at the
usual Morning Music time of 10 a.m.
Also, look for specials from Manya (Jan.
18), Fred Herschkowitz (Jan. 16), City In
Exile (Jan. 22), Charles Whent, Nancy
Rodriguez, The Golden Age of Radio.
Through the Opera Glass (all on Jan.
25)-and more!
After the drive, you can look forward to
the planned returns of The Ring and J.
Smooth's Underground Railroad.
3
r
3
CO
General Manager: valeric vu lslcr Program Director: Samori Marksman DcvcJopment
Assistant: Dnmu Niemann Business Director: Sybil Wong Arts Director. Matthew Finch
Public Affairs Director: Mario Alfonso Murillo News Director Jose Santiago News Editor:
David Sears News Reporters: Paul DcRicnzo, Zaehary Kink Operations Director: Paul
Wunder Operations Assistants: Max Schmid, Sidney Smith, Tom Whclan Wake Up Call
Bernard White, Amy Goodman, Errol Maitland, Leslie George (A) Talkback: Howard
Jordan, U trite L. l.eid Maintenance Engineer: GfBCkri Challenger Production Engineers:
Dred Scott Keyes, Gary Helrri Chief Announcer Michael G. Haskins (A) Receptionist: Fred
Kuhn Premiums Coordinator: Cassandra Perkins Subscriptions Director Allen Markman
Data Entry: Stephanie McDonald, James Hibler Major Gifts Director: Gabrielle Hanna
Subscriptions Volunteers: Sharon Thomas, T Tucker, Muthilde Thoraldsen .
PRODUCERS
Arts' Department: Chico Alvarez, Gregory Amani, Joan Baker, Brenda Black, Rodney Black,
Peter Bochan', Susan Brown, Martha Cinader, Anthony Coggi, Janet Colemaa, Peggy
Dominique, David Dozer, Dro, Bill Farrar, Diabcl Faye, Jim Freund, Dallas Galvin, Amanda
Gcrsh, Evan Ginzburg, Eddie Goldman, Jeannie Hopper, Joseph, Hurley, Mahmoud Ibrahim,
Chet Jackson, David Kenney, Fred Kunn, Manva La Bruja, Lace, Mark Laiosa, Yusef Lamont,
Michael Mabcm, Ben Mapp, Darrell McNeill, Kyle McNeill, Stephen Marshall, Jasper
McGruder, Edward Mcnje, Prairc Miller, Tom Mitchelson, Lance Neal, Wendy Perron,
Valccia Phillips, John Randolph, Shawn Rhodes, Nancy Rodriguez, Lee Ryan, Kim Santos,
Max Schmid, James P. Sherman, Regina Fiorito-Sokol, Spyder Blue, Sidney Smith, Carletta
Joy Walker, Leontync Watts, Gary Westpn Wagner, Chris Whcnr, Malika Lee Whitney, Terry
Wilson, David Wright, Paul \yondcr
Live Radio Department: Playthell Benjamin, L. King Downing, Bob Fass, Mike Feder,
Eleanqr Elizabeth Forman, Jim Freund, U.T. Good, Paul Gorman, Michael G. Haskins, Fred
Herschkowitz, Sharan Harper, John Harris, kim Mon'ique Johnson; Robert Knight, Simon
Locklc. R. Paul Martin, Rosemari Mealy, Marjorie Moore, Pandora, Bill Propp, Rooky. Mike
Sergeant, Habte Selassie, Bro. Shine, ,Toni Short, Judith Sloan, Peter Smith, Chris Taylor,
Carletta Joy Walker, Paul Williams, Peter Lamborn Wilson^
News Department: Ben Carliner, Dc Ann Daiglc, John Hess, James Hibler, Gabrielle Koren,
Scr Pomville, Ed Santiago, James P. Sherman
Public Affairs Department: Gbnzalo Aburro, Angelica Aquino Gonzalez, Barbara Nimri Aziz,
Marie Becker, Phyllis Bennis, Lydia Braggcr, Elombc Brath, Ahncnoi Brooks, J.K. Bryant,
Safiya Bukhafi, Dave Burstein, Helen Caldicott, Marc Antonio Akam Chen, Nicholas
Cimorclli, Evelyn Tully Costa, Lloyd D'Aguilar, Patrika Dallas, Kathy Davis, Fielding
Dawson, Stevie Debe, Paul deRienzo, Armand DiMelc, Mick Dewan, Laura Flanders, Leslie
George, Sara Gil, Barbara Glkkstein, Tony Glover, Amy Goodman, Burt Harbin, Michael G.
Haskins, Jesse Heiwa Loving, Wanda Henderson, Doug Henwood, -Del Hornbuckle, Michio
Kaku, Esther Kaplan, Lisa Kato, Hank Kee, Dred Scott Keyes, Joe King, Nancy M. IGrton,
Bob Ledercr, Sunyoung Lee, Al Lewis', Michael Levine, Joung Yoon Lym, John McDonagh,
Marcia McBroom, Errol Maitland, Melissa Mark Vivorito, Diana Mason, Brian Mor, Cait
Mullen, Ken Nash, Marilyn Neimark, Sally O'Brien, Pepperpot, Carlos Andres Perez, Raven,
George Rcilly, Cercnc H. Roberts, Mimi Rosenberg, Paul Ruest, Pedro Angel Serrano, Rick
Shut, R. Silva, Scott Sommer, Amy Standen, Heather Stewart, Bob Storm, Harriet Tanzman,
Laura Tarantini, Israel Ujima.Shelton Waldcn.Tom Wisker, Rick X.
ENGINEERS
Eliza Butler, Steyen Jackman, Peggy Dominique, E. E. Forman, Jake Clanz, Ulysses T. Good,
Claude Horvath, M. Saidia McLaughlin, Lance Neal, VaJccta Phillips, Paul Ruest, Spyder Blue
Rider, Carletta Joy Wajkcr, George Wellington, Sound Gatherers (Yusef Aziz, Goldie
Williams, Crispin Ncdd, Melvin Simmons [Project Director], Oscar "Lumumba" Guzman,
John Holder, Asuka)
BOARD MEMBERS
WBAI Local Board: Heather Abrarnson, Andrea Cisco, Dick Dementis, Anne Emerman
(Secretary), Karen Frillmann. William Henning, Michio Kaku, Hank Kee, Cecelia McCall,
Lynne McVeigh, Frank MilUpaugh, Andrew Norris, Mimi Rosenberg, Nan Rubin (Chair),
Eugene Straus, Sybil Wong, Frieda Zames
Pacific a National Board: David Acosta, David Assman, Mary Frances Berry (Chair), Roberta
Brooks, Alexis Gonzalez, Gecelia McCall, Frank Millspaugh, Dorothy Nasitic* tloger
Scarbrough At Large: June Makela, Loretta Ross
WBAI Radio is a 50,000-watf, listener- supported, community radio station broadcasting to
the metropolitan areas of New York and New Jersey, and parts of Pennsylvania and
Connecticut. WBAI Radio is licensed to the Pacifica Foundation and broadcasts at a frequen-
cy of 99.5 MHz. The WBAI Folio is published bimonthly by WBAI Radio and is distributed
to all members. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $50/year ($25 for students and
seniors), 12 of which underwrites the cost of one year's Folio subscription. Second-class
postage paid in New York, NY. ISSN# 0005-272. Postmaster, please send all address changes
to: WBAI Radio, 505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 1001 8, (212) 279-0707.
WBAI Folio: (212) 279-0707 ext. 146. '
Pacifica sister stations: KPFA 94 1 FM. Berkeley (501) 848-6767; KPFT 90.1 FM, Houstoa
(713) 525-4000; WPFW 89.3 FM, Washington. DC. (202) 588-0999; KPFK 90.7 FM. Los
Angeles (818) 985-27J1.
Pacifica Program Service & Archives: 3729 Cahuenga Boulevard West, North Hollywood, CA
91604 (818) 506-1077.
CONTINUED 9 ROM PAGE 2
We also are prepared to work even more closely with our col-
leagues at other Pacifica stations. Indeed, we already are. We have
encouraged the airing nationally of Gary Null's program and are
working aggressively to ensure maximum input into Democracy
Now!. Both programs currently are on our sister station, WPFW
in Washington, D.C., and are making great impact on its listenership. t
Without You, There's No WBAf, No Pacifica
WBAI and every other Pacifica station continues to face enor-
mous difficulty. We remind you that while much is to be done to
correct problems on the home front, it is equally important to
point out that we could never be Pacifica were*we to subject our-
selves to what every humane economist sees as the crassness of
modern corporate capitalism.
WBAI would not be able to provide uncontaminated reports
on AIDS, the outbreak of IMF control, the trials and triumphs of
the American working people.
It would not be able to unmask national hypocrisy through
theater and music, elevate the social value of the people's art,
examine the,phght of poor people on welfare, or the conflicts over
our school systems.
WBAI would not be able to provide authoritative accounts, of
the prison-induStrial' complex, or deconstruct the theories of race
in America, or demystify the grotesque distortions of ethnic clas-
sification, or advance the rights of women, or bring us the clearest
and most informed views of developments in virtually every part
of this planet.
We suggest, echoing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s lasting para-
digm» that we be. judged not by how much farther we need to go
but by how far, and from what depths, we indeed have come.
In ortly a few short years, we've brought ourselves from an
underperforming, underproducing station to what we are today:
the leading station within all of Pacifica! We have the largest lis-
tenership. We generate the most money. And many of the pro-
grams we produce continue to have greater impact on
listeners-both in our market and in other cities.
We ask that you join your hands with ours so that together we
will continue to move with confidence into the next millennium.
WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU
Come fund-raising time (Jan. 12-29),
we've just gotta have your help to
answer phones, take pledges, and be
nice and calm while all hell breaks
loose. Up to the challenge? Call (212)
279-0707 and say, "Count on me!" to
our Volunteers Coordinator, Donna
Niemann.
For Advisory Board,
A Full Plate In '98
.By Nan Rubin
Chair, Local Advisory Board
Happy New Year!
Having just. come out of a year of major transitions, the WBAI
Local Advisory Board (LAB) is looking at a full plate for 1998, par-
alleling many of the challenges and opportunities facing the station
as a whole.
Our role is a singular one. We are an advisory committee made
up of listeners and supporters from the WBAI listening area, arid are
charged by the Governing' Board of the Pacifica Foundation to
"review the programming goals and service of the station and ...
adyise how the station might better meet the educational and cultural
needs of the communities served by WBAI."
Given the tremendous variety, diversity, geographic spread and
range of interests, experiences and' passions held by WBAI listeners
(you know who you are!) and the broad sweep of the station's pro-
gramming, coming up with valid methods to reflect the sometimes
conflicting needs of the audience is one of the most critical and diffi-
cult challenges we face..
But it is not our only task. Here are some of the projects we'll be <
•dealing with this year. •
Creating useful mechanisms to solicit, analyze
and report on audience concerns
There certainly is no shortage of listeners' programming ideas
and opinions, but it is not the responsibility of the LAB to assess
individual programs or programmers. Instead, we have the much
more difficult and ill-defined task of looking at broader program-
ming goals and comparing them to what is on the air, or not on the
air but should be-like the longstanding complaint about the need for
more coverage of issues and events in New Jersey.
We are trying to bring a broader view of issues to the discussion
of programming by using many channels for recording listener
input, and then being creative in reporting our findings to the staff,
and back to you, the listeners. Wish us luck; this is totally uncharted
territory in public broadcasting. Stay tuned, though, because we
hope to be very vocal during the year about what YOU have to say.
Assisting the station in making
a successful move to 120 Wall St
Acting with the expressed mandate of the WBAI. staff, members
of the LAB Space r and Technical Committee spent nearly two full
years searching for a new home for the station. We were delighted -to
secure the outstanding and extremely affordable half-floor in the
Association Building, at 120 Wall St., when it became available last
summer.
Not only were we able to negotiate an incredibly favorable 15-
year lease (more than 50 percent more space for virtually the same
rent we are paying now), but WBAI will be joining other esteemed
tenants in this non.-profit center such as Cin- Limits magazine, the
Ms. Foundation, the National Urban League and International
Planned Parenthood.
Since then, our committee has kept up the pace by working
closely with the project architect, engineers and Other planning and
construction staff 'to help design an attractive, new WBAI space that
will have great studios and comfortable, functional working areas-
CONTINUEDON.PAGE8
A bit shy about
becoming involved?
All we want is your advice!
WBAI'S LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD
IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
The Local Advisory Board
(LAB) is a committee created
by the Governing Board of the Pacifica
Foundation as required fpr community-
based broadcasting stations by
the Communications Act.
The mission of the LAB is
to assist the Governing
Board of the Pacifica
Foundation by:
• Reviewing the pro-
gram goals of the sta-
tion;
• Reviewing the service provided by the station to our listeners; ■
• Reviewing the policy decisions made by the Governing Board;
• Advising and recommending to the Governing Board how the station
might better meet the educational and cultural needs of the communities
served by WBAI;
• Assisting WBAI with fund-raising activities;
• Representing WBAI to the community;
• Assuming other responsibilities assigned by the Governing Board.
The LAB cdnsists of between 1 5 and 30 members drawn from many differ-
ent parts of the listening audience and from across the New York region. It
meets regularly throughout the year to plan and implement its activities,
make recommendations and prepare its reports. Members serve one or
more three-year terms.
New members will:
• Bring greater age, gender and ethnic diversity to the LAB;
• Develop new leadership;
• Strengthen the skills and resources available to WBAI.
We ate especially interested in attracting:
• People of color and listeners involved with different ethnic and cultural
communities;
• Residents of the "outer boroughs" of New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut;
• Supporters with skills in non-profit management, fund-raising or public
relations;
• People interested in promoting WBAI and in interacting with its audience.
If you or someone you know would like to join the WBAI Local Advisory
Bbard, we'd love to hear from you! Write or call:
Nan Rubin, Chair, WBAI Local Advisory Board, c/o 122 W. 27th St., 10th
Floor, New York, NY 10001. (212) 463-7411.
Anne Emerman, WBAI Board Membership Committee, 333 E. 30th St., New
York, NY. 10018
T1
o
C
o.
>
2
I
3
8
c
D
not in mention a great view! The need to find furnishings, acquire new
equipment and add aesthetic decoration undoubtedly will extend well
beyond the May moving date.
Spearheading the Capital Campaign
While WBA1 has an excellent agreement with the landlord to cover
the construction costs to build out the new space, the rest of the
expenses must be met by the station.
The LAB has committed itself to leading the effort to raise
$350,000 to complete the station interiors and other needed purchases.
The Capital Campaign, active throughout the year, already has
received commitments from longtime station supporters Ossie Davis,
Ruby Dee and Susan Sarandon. Look lor announcements about an
Open House in the new space sometime in February!
Rebuilding the LAB
Last year, through a combination of circumstances, the LAB found
itself reduced from a strong membership of more than 21 members to
fewer than 15 active members. In addition, a significant number of
long-term members will have to leave the LAB early this year, when
their second three-year term expires. So, we began an aggressive
recruitment campaign to rebuild the LAB with a broader and more
representative group of members.
The response has been extremely gratifying. At our last meeting in
1997, we elected Andrew Norris, Heather Abramson and Andrea
Cisco as new members (they will begin their terms in January), and at
our first meeting in 1998, four or five additional listeners will be nom-
inated. New faces include two people from Rockland County, a mem-
ber of the Rutgers faculty, a 25-year-old new listener, and longtime
supporters engaged in peace activism, advocacy for the homeless and
similar political issues.
This is just a start, though -which still leaves the LAB with a lot of
room. Our goal is to add at least six new people during the year.
Improving our voice with the Governing Board
This past year, the relationship between the WBAI LAB and the
Pacifica Governing Board was mixed. The LAB had tried without suc-
cess to get the Governing Board to take some positive actions on
important issues at WBAI, such as the management-labor conflict; the
battle made public between WBAI's public affairs director, Mario
Murillo, and Pacifica's national programming director, Gail Christian;
and improving the image of the station with contributors and donors.
More positively, the Governing Board gave the LAB a vote of con-
fidence by approving the lease and construction for the new space
(though with less funding than promised); the LABs now have a per-
manent place at the table through the newly created Council of Chairs
(with me acting as
unofficial spokesper-
son); and we have
been asked to review
and make recommen-
dations about the gov-
ernance of the organi-
/aiion-a major source
of conflict.
Early in 1998, Dr.
Mary Frances Berry,
the newly elected
National Chair, will be
visiting us in New
York. We look forward
to meeting with her
and expressing our
concerns about the sta-
tion.
Board Chair Rubin cuts it up
with "dear friend" Charlie Sheen.
Not to let any of these concerns rest, we intend to stay very visible
with the Governing Board, both through our selected representatives
and our own positions.
Working with the staff on WBAI's five-year plan
Finally, in tandem with our own mandate to look at the issues
relating to WBAI's programming and service, we share the strong
desire to bring more listeners into the WBAI audience by strengthen-
ing the station's programming.
The staff is involved with an ongoing planning process, which ulti-
mately will produce a set of shared goals and aspirations that can
guide the station in the immediate future. We will participate in those
aspects of the planning that are appropriate, especially to create use-
able mechanisms to convey "advice" about listeners' concerns in a
supportive (as opposed to being judgmental or intrusive) way.
As you can see, we have a lot of work ahead of us. We're just a
handful of people and can use your help! There are many areas in
which you can get involved-from contributing your artistic talents
decorating the new studios or setting up a house party for the Capital
Campaign in your region, to helping design a listener survey or even
applying to become a member of the LAB.
Feel free to contact me about any area of LAB activity that might
pique your interest (WBAI Local Advisory Board, c/o Community
Media Services, 122 W. 27th St., 10th Fl., New York, NY 10001.
(212) 463-741 1; fax (212) 741-4563; E-mail, NanRubin@aol.com).
And, as always, keep listening!
Pacifica Radio WBAI 99.5 FM
505 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Second Class Postage Paid
# 0005-272
New York, NY
NEWSPAPER DATED MATERIAL
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
WBAI
Folio
from the
Pacifica
Radio Archives
This cover sheet created by
Internet Archive for formatting
TVNews
OpenLibrary