IndyMedia activist and filmmaker Steven Starr has joined KPFK, the Los Angeles station in the five-station Pacifica Network, to lead an interim team designed to build and restore the station to its original mission.

Additional Pacifica Networks stations are in Berkeley, New York, Washington D.C. and Houston.

After a contentious five year local and nationwide struggle to return the network to its community roots, the thousands of activists involved in the effort were rewarded with a victory; all four lawsuits against the Pacifica Network, the first of which originated with members of the KPFK Local Advisory Board, were settled and the National Board members attempting to control Pacifica and use it to their own ends were ousted.

"I’d like to honor the incredible efforts of thousands of people who have been engaged in the struggle to restore Pacifica for so many years. Recent developments signal the promise of a great new chapter for those of us who believe in the possibilities of a truly independent and democratic media," Starr said in an open letter to the Pacifica listeners. “It's a great privilege. My career started in radio, and I’ve spent a great deal of time over the years working with various forms of media that empower the public.”

Starr is one of the architects of the Los Angeles Independent Media Center and joins KPFK after co-founding leading edge Internet company Uprizer with Freenet Project creator Ian Clarke. “Through his involvement with the Freenet Project, Steven has demonstrated his deep commitment to an honest and unbiased media," said Freenet founder Ian Clarke. “It's my full expectation that his integrity and skills will be a great asset to KPFK and it’s community of listeners."

Before Uprizer, Starr was the CEO of AntEye.com a netbased community built around user-generated content. Prior to AntEye, Starr wrote and directed the award winning film Joey Breaker, produced and created a variety of film and television projects, and spent 11 years at the William Morris Agency, heading the motion picture department in the company’s New York office. During his tenure at William Morris, he developed the early careers of such talents as Ang Lee, Ben Stiller, Larry David, Tim Robbins, Reinaldo Povod and Ziggy Marley. He started his career as a high school volunteer at WLIR-FM in New York, eventually running their internship program before moving on to WSRM, campus radio in Madison, Wisconsin.

Former KPFK General Manager Mark Schubb was relieved from his post Friday and placed on leave.

Founded in 1949, Pacifica Radio is the nation's first listener-supported, community-based radio network. Along with KPFK Los Angeles (90.7), it includes KPFA Berkeley (94.1), WBAI New York (99.5), KPFT Houston (90.1),
WPFW Washington, D.C. (89.3) and nearly 60 affiliates in 27 states. It features Democracy NOW!, a weekday political affairs show hosted by Pacifica's award-winning Amy Goodman.

As Edwin Johnston would say.

Whooooo-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Let's fix the transmitter and kick some ASS!

Questions are being asked of why Schubb was Not simply fired. That he is still being paid, With funds knowingly funneled off is a problem. I simply can not wait to donate "funds" to kpfk, however, that will not be done untill Schubb, cooper and beaupre are gone AND guarantees are in place that funds will stay at kpfk. thanx and welcome

I know that it will be a long road to get KPFK back to it's original state. I'm willing to be patient, for now there is hope.
I hope Marc Cooper saves face for himself and The Nation and "resigns". Maybe The Nation should save face and have Cooper "resign" from The Nation.

Nina

Is there a way to get the truth out there on KPFKs web site
about what has happen in the past few years?
Thanks
Nina

Schubb was a no good punk (in the deragatory sense) and a straight out liar. I sent him an email about the then recent cancellation of Democracy Now! and he replied with some hogwash about his hands being tied by the Pacifica Board. Now that the stations were told to put it back on, he cries and cries and completely disses all of us by putting it on only at 6am, like any normal person can get up that early!!
Hope Copper gets the axe as well for being the uncritical lapdog that he is. Better yet, a nice cream pie to the face along with his walking papers would be more appropriate. Then he'll remember what it tastes like to be on the wrong side of history.
Later Losers! Tiburcio

I agree with Nina - their is no reason for Cooper or Schubb to be on the payrol draining resources . Also get Amy back in the 9 am slot asap. And also get with the program and start talking about all those military aircraft leaving those huge trails in the sky that are not contrails- wake people up for crying out loud.

marC cooper is fired

Kpfk has been turned into a bland version of NPR. What is this new age crap on at 1pm every day. Every one of those music jocs who suck up to chub and markey mark should be fired right away. Especially Beto Arcos and that right wing religous couple on saturday morning. Also Don Rush is a scab and should be replaced by Jerimey Scahill, who should be the new news director. Power to the people!

worthless

worthless

it must be a hic-up or maybe an echo

Dear Mr. Starr,
Congratulations on your new post as General Manager of KPFK.
I can't even imagine what must be going on there now. But beyond imagining I would like to share my unsolicited advice as a long time (before the "bad times") listener and former sponsor, and present boycotter.
The last message on the web site www.disc.server.com that I read informed me that you had just replaced the KPFK report and I do imagine that over the next week or two more programs that represent the direction the "old board" was headed in will also be replaced. That's fine with me but what I would like to see is the following: Don't go overboard. Replace enough shows to put in place the 3-5 hours of prime time programming a week devoted to discussing what listeners need to hear in order to make intelligent decisions in the upcoming elections and leave it at that. I.e. lift the gag rule and let the debate begin. I believe that the sudden total reversal of programming that for the last couple of years has obviously been well-established at KPFK will sow more dissension than necessary. I would. in fact, like to see about an even split between the two factions at KPFK staff wise or at least programming wise. I am assuming that there is still a majority of staff there that is very dissappointed and even angry with the new turn of events since the settlement of the lawsuits. I think it will be one of your primary and most difficult jobs to steer clear of a wholeaale purge of the station and to mediate between the factions while over time the story comes out (also in a highly moderated fashion) over the air. Then let the listeners decide and have faith that the free flow of such informative discussion will turn the tide all by itself.
I also have a suggestion about how to deal with the conflict that will no doubt be on-going between those two major factions until the community has had a chance to determine the course of programming. I would suggest you make time (even though you don't have it) to read a book about how to resolve large group conflict called "Sitting in the Fire" by Arnold Mindell. The information in the book will hopefully suggest a possible way of getting the "sides" to some kind of interim working relationship. I'd like to hear your reactions to this email and the book if time permits. Sincerely, Marc Rubinn, Los Angeles, CA; a listener searching for what will work in the long term.

the healing of kpfk is not as complicated as some would like us to think. It really is very elementary. You fire or "cut out the diseased parts". marC cooper is a sick part of kpfk which needs to be removed. when this is done - the station will heal itself. he can NOT change - he will continue his hateful deluded egotistical behavior against any and all democratic wishes. Let's get on with it.

I am pleased that new management means there's a chance now that the station will go back to being really cutting edge. We've got plenty of middle of the road programming in America, that and right wing programming.

On the other hand I don't see why so many complaints about 'The Nation?' If there's a reason please post it because I've missed some of the goings on.

Great to see Schub go!

However, we can not turn into the bad person that he is by purging everyone that supported him.

Jon Beaupre is fine. His format is different. Marc Cooper is a great interviewer.

I love Amy, but not every show has to be like DN!

Let the left and the liberals co-exist on the air. LA is a big community.

The devisiveness and shunning of what was disagreed with was the worst part of the OLD BOARDs stategy. I like the idea of finding a way for factions to work together instead!
I think the 5:00 Beneath the Surface show is KPFK's best asset for local exploration of the world at large. The programmers can change over time - different voices are valuable - but the perspective of reaching out into the world to voices we won't get to hear otherwise and conversing, provides invaluable information in interpreting issues of democracy, freedom, economic justice. They do a FABULOUS job!
Also, I really like the way the news uses highlights from interviews throughout the day, because I can't listen all day and our own programmers provide the kind of information we're most interested in.
Congratulations and wishes for all the energy and intergrity you will need to accomplish rebuilding the station.
And I'll resume my subscription in the next fund drive in February.

Look, Cooper, like Todd Gitlin and many other jaded "New Left Radicals" turned backlash-conservative-liberals are absurd and blinded by their own cynical views. Cooper even helped add fuel to the fire in the fight over democracy at Pacifica. But to fight for a purge, or putsch of Cooper, Beto Arcos, Beaupre, is doing exactly what we ought not to be doing -- acting like demogogues and believing that everyone should agree with our "right" position, even if we are right. Let's judge shows on their popularity, quality, and level of critical inquiry, not on the personal views of their hosts... isn't that what they tried to do to Amy?

However, let's put Larry Bentsky back on NATIONALLY at noon. Lisa Garr's "Aware" has to be the most useless piece of new age divel in the entire 3-5 dimensions she purports to exist upon. She DEFINITELY has to go. But that's just my opinion.

Over time Beaupre's program has become "servicable," but I prefered the checks and balances provided by the team of Marcos Frommer and Cathy Gori. I never did hear why they left. Assume that they were "gagged."

I suggest a moderate approach, rather than purges. If a programmer desires to stay on the air, and they can coexist in the new culture, they deserve time.

I am a forty year listner/sponsor and happen to particularly enjoy the Saturday morning "religious" couple, The Davises and their music. They certainly have earned their spot with decades of service.

The dead air for me is the major Jazz block early Monday morning. We have a jazz station across town.

I also particulary enjoy the sets presented by Derek Rath, Tom Nixon, and DJ Nandi. Spotlight Africa and the Saturday late-afternoon and evening programming also come to mind. Espanol esta bien some of the time . . .

I wholeheartedly concur with the person who suggested that a major block of programming be focused on election information and getting the vote out.

Steven I want you to know that you have my full support in your new incarnation. My mind threatens to go into overwhelm when I think of the mire that you have jumped into. Not only do you have to deal with the management of a very complicated business and the difficulties in trying to build some sort of confidence and trust with the employees and volunteers who have been working in an environment of mistrust and insecurity for years, but you have also taken on one of the most contentious, albeit inteligent and committed communities on the planet.

You have overnight become the most talked about mysterious unknown in the activist "society". Everywhere I've been the last few days, almost the first words from everybody's lips are, "what do you think about Steven Starr at KPFK"? You are suddenly under a microscope and I don't envy you that position.

That said, I have to say that having worked with you the last few months at the IMC and experiencing your love, endless energy, dedication and enthusiasm for the media movement, I think you actually might be the right person for this potentially thankless job. I overheard you saying once to someone that you had waited your entire life to be part of a movement like this, and then you poured yourself heart and soul into it. I've seen that and I believe it.

People in the local activist community are worried that because they perceive you as an outsider and not as part of the L.A. activist scene, you are not familiar with the key people and situations here; that you may not know what the important issues are here on the local scene, things that are crucial to movement building on a vital progressive community radio station.

That may be true; and yet, I have seen you work with others in the consenses based IMC, and I know that you are smart enough to attract people to you who ARE familiar with those things, and that you will listen and work collectively with the community to bring KPFK back to the people. I also think that your ability to think three steps ahead of yourself and everybody else, and your impulses to act on those insights, the very things that may have rubbed some more intellectually based and slower moving people the wrong way, are exactly what is needed in your new life. So Mazeltov.

Now to my fellow IMCer's .....I see that some previous and granted, unfortunate postings that were here yesterday are gone now, and here are my 2 cts. about that. As sorry as I am about the anger and hurt feelings that were displayed here on our site, and as embarrasing as it was to me and others to see our inner battles being fought out in public, having them removed from the page with no explanation smells like a gag rule in effect to me. Please; let's not resort to the tactics so many people have fought so long to abolish on the airwaves. Let's not, especially now, when we are on the verge of really reaching out to the community, ruin our credibility with that same community. Let's trust that people who come here are intelligent enough to digest and deal with whatever is out here.

SCHUBB IS "OUT"! GREAT NEWS. GOOD FOR YOU. WATCH HIM.
eldon

I concur with Anna above who is concerned about inflammatory postings that have been "purged" from this bulletin board. I can see that if there is not an even balance however, that particularly thoughtful people might decide to steer clear of this bulletin board. So, my suggestion is to "purge" only an overflow of such redunant venting that naturally tends to snsowball around the issues we are discussing here. That way, with an even balance between the different ways of expression, it will allow people to make up their own minds based on what everyone is feeling and thinking.

We need to discuss what has happen and is happenning to Pacifica so it doesn't happen again.
As long as people are constructive in their points of view we need them.
I want to hear on KPFK from both sides. Everyone needs to heal and that includes the listeners.
Nina

I feel optimistic about the changes going on at Pacifica and KPFK. I believe the music and art/theatre /spirituality ( eg Lisa Garr) shows are as vital as the political programming. Variety and beauty are needed in the world . Cutting those would be like schools cutting arts! I especially enjoy Mark Maxwell's Rise, on early Monday morning, as he plays jazz not heard on KLON! ( someone on this site wanted his show cut, & I disagree)

Add Larry Bensky to KPFK with his wry insight and also bring back Verna Avery Brown with Free Speech News!!!
Yes yes yes! Verna Verna Verna!!! ...Not just brilliant but classy and professional.

Marc Cooper? As someone on this board said, he is a good interviewer and I have enjoyed Radio Nation, though I was very dismayed at his anger towards the people who wanted Pacifica restored.

And speaking of news programs, delete from programming those hourly news updates. No need to hear news bytes and clips that are so prevelant on CNN and KCRW. Also, the KPFK Evening News needs a re-furbishing, as it is sounding quite mainstream and CNN/NPR-ish ( plus the theme music is not good) , and one of the purposes of Pacifica is to present news not commonly heard.

Time will tell, as things settle and shift. But so far so good. Looking forward to donating $ once again and I may even volunteer at the station which I have loved for so long.

As a veteran listener, a Local Advisory Board (LAB) member and as one who was closely connected to the process which ended with Steven's appointment, I want to express my support and great admiration for him and for what is now being called, "The right choice."
Two points: (1) There was a technical, legal reason why Mark Schubb was suspended/put on leave, rather than terminated. That was beyond Steven's control.
(2) Steven has made it clear that he does not want to go beyond the 60/90 days of interim service. He is committed to serving our community for that interim period and then turning over the job to someone who has been selected through an open, transparent, inclusive process which includes input from the entire signal area. That is important for listeners to know and it was important for the LAB to know prior to this appointment.
Each day we are more and more certain that Steven's service during this interim period is crucial for the progress we all want to make. His calm, decisive, good-natured, insightful, strong day-to-day work is really an encouragement. Even during some rather stormy moments, he remained the level head in the room and the man with his eye on the prize.
We are on the right track. And many thanks to Steven.

I agree with a lot of what you said particularly with "variety and beauty are needed in the world".

What I miss is the more diverse programming that kpfk is known for. I believe in the past, during the weekdays there were different shows at the same time slot. More diversity and more information is what I favor.

I hope that Larry Bensky comes back soon as well as many others. (We have lost so many good people). He was so rudely "released", it was horrible.
I'm thrilled not to hear the kpfk jingle anymore. Here I thought it was a parody when I first heard it. Am I alone with this? ...It did have an upbeat sound to it.
I don't think the hourly sound bites are worth much. One again the Kcrw/npr format is not my inclination.

I do want to welcome Steven Starr and look forward to your presence. I've only heard such great things about you.

BTW I greatly appreciate this venue to discuss all of this. Thanks

Nina, you are so right, that jingle did sound like a parody! I thought so too when I 1st heard it.
This is a terrific venue and I am really enjoying reading everyone's thoughts and ideas and opinions.

Thanks Don for explaining the 2 issues; I and I am sure many others, wondered how a new GM will be selected. Will KPFK broadcast when and how we can help choose/provide input?

When the new interim Pacifica Executive Director Dan Coughlin and the new Pacifica National Board Chair Leslie Cagan arrived in Los Angeles, the focus was to remove Mr. Schubb and to begin the "new era" at KPFK. The process was "sticky" and faulty, compared to the process which now must be put in place for choosing a new permanent General Manager of our station.
The "faulty process" resulted in a wonderful choice, in my judgment, but now we are starting from scratch again. As a member of the Local Advisory Board (LAB) I will be committed to helping the Board and the movement develop a process, make that process public and then making that process work so that all listeners feel they have had a chance to give their input.
As far as I am concerned, there is no front-runner, no predetermined "favorite," no behind-the-scenes strategy to make sure a certain person is chosen. We don't know yet what excellent candidates for GM are out there that we haven't heard from yet.....that is why this must remain an open process.
Steven is willing to serve our community for up to 90 days...but 90 days go by very quickly. So the Board will play a major role in establishing a process, and that process must have built into it maximum listener input.

Don,
I appreciate you keeping all of us abreast of the process. Will there be other venues available to the listeners to know where the LAB is within the process of choosing a new General Manager?
I hope so and I would be interested in knowing of them.
Thanks for your commitment and hard work.
Nina

I didn't have enough time to read every thing that is posted here but I noticed a great number has of comments have focused on DN! What about AR (Alternative Radio) that used to be in the 3:00 pm slot? I miss hearing great 1 hour speeches. Also some how we (the listening body of KPFK) need to get KCET or KOCE TV to air the TV version of Democracy Now (would that be cool).

PSAlso I agree that Lisa Garr has got to go and for those who like the show-DON'T WORRY-it's not going to be long until she gets a job at KCRW or some other NBR station.

PSS I like listening to Heartfelt Music because someday I know that (by listing to the tone in John's voice) that on day he's going to have a massive on-air blowup with swear-words and mad ravings thrown in to make it extra special!

I do not listen to the New Age programs that are currently on KPFK, so please take this as a general comment and determine for yourself the degree to which it applies or does not apply to any particular program.

My problem with the New Age movement in general is that it tends to invoke rituals and symbols that can make an individual *feel* connected to a "spiritual" community or context that is larger than that person, while avoiding any concrete activity toward bridging the actual gaps that exist between the painfully fragmented groups of our present society.

There is a tremendous sense of isolation in our world today. True community has been all but destroyed. Popular culture has focused for years upon the one-on-one romantic relationship to the exclusion of all larger and more potent community-oriented relationships. Our public space is being replaced with public-private space whose purpose is to facilitate consumption, not social interaction. People are segregated by race and income, while individuals within similar groups are placed into competitive relationships within corporate hierarchies.

What perists in all of this is the longing for community. Alienated individuals feel this pull, but the barriers to meaningful community are difficult to overcome. Add to this the risks, both perceived and real, of associating with people of different economic, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and it becomes clear that finding real community is a daunting and in many ways frightening task. If people are hurting, then to truly connect with them means that their problems will, to a certain extent, become your problems. This is especially true for those in upper-income and racially privileged groups, who have the most to lose by associating with the "untouchables" who are economically deprived or subjected to racial stereotyping and institutional violence.

In this situation, the New Age movement functions as a palliative, with rituals and symbols that evoke a feeling of connectedness without the need to challenge the barriers of class, race and other social divisions. It is a painkiller for those who can afford the luxury of forgetfulness as a cancer eats away at the body politic.

If that kind of program is being presented on KPFK, then we should all demand that it be stopped. The Pacifica mission statement requires that the network shall work toward

"...a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms"

Programming that provides an emotional quick fix of "connectedness" merely sustains denial and prevents the very understanding between groups that Pacifica's mission requires it to address.

Good News :
I just heard tonight on What's Happening that AR and David Barsamian will be coming back on the air!!!


Re the video version of Democracy Now, I simply wrote to my cable provider ( Adelphia) asking them to add the channel "Free Speech TV" ( that is the channel that provides Dem Now) .

It is available on Dish TV, and I told Adelphia that I am thinking of switching to Dish in order to get that channel...

Steven and Don,

Yesterday Marc Cooper mentioned on his show and chatted with his guest about the recent changes in the news ceasing to exist on Pacifica as how it currently does. He mentioned that he just found out about the change minutes before he went on the air and was shocked.

I tried researching this at different sites to find out what he was talking about with no luck.
Could you please comment about what he was talking about.

I know that Marc is not happy about the recent changes that have occurred and fear that he could create an environment of disinformation which could cause havoc and confusion.

I personally am concerned about he still being on KPFK knowing his position on the Pacifica take over.
He has a following and helps bring in money during fund raisers but I fear that the station could be paying in other ways for his presence. I don't trust him and feel that he can do the station more harm than good.

Once again I state the need for a show on KPFK that talks about these kind of changes occurring at the station. I would like to know what's going on as opposed to relying on rumors. With the fund drive next week I feel it is most important for the audience to know what is going on if you want it to be successful.

I'm beginning to feel as out of the cold as I did when Mark Scubb was in control.

Feedback is welcomed, please.

It was great that you made yourself known on the air today and took listeners comments. It's important for people to know that there is someone in control, and something is being done.
Marc Cooper has really been the only one with air time to discuss his point of view.
I am a strong advocate of bringing everything out into the open and this I feel helps heal wounds and quell suspicions.
Please do it more.
Thanks again fo a great job.

Growing up in LA, it is hard not to be informed about an array of environmental and social problems. Since reading IMC it has gotten more together as far as filling up space. But I do not think the site captures LA issues--there are many (good and bad)so there is no excuse not having hard, diverse content. The people who read the site will ultimately be the judge of IMC LA's legitimacy. So far it still seems to be getting out of its infancy. There are still the old ways and resources for keeping informed of LA issues, but the main idea should be bringing together more Los Angelinos and representing LA to the rest of United States and the World. So far you barely touch on the many social, cultural and environmental issues. LA's a large city please do not narrow your content---if it's to hard have sub-categories for the LA IMC but do not forget to keep them sub-categories not their own site we are supposed to be a United City. Like I mentioned earlier the people will be the judge of IMC LA. And the the people working at IMC LA know in their hearts if they are just using IMC as a vehicle to further their career. LA has been used as abused enough. Gillian

I'm trying to follow KPFK fromfar away. What happened with the marathon and board meeting? Any ideas on where to look for more Pacifica talk?