In what seems to be a renewed round of activity at Pacifica's beleaguered WBAI (home of "Off The Hook"), a number of staff people have found themselves barred from the station in recent days with the loss of still more programming, as the crisis at WBAI stretches into its eighth month. Still another well known programmer resigned on the air Monday morning.
For reasons not publicly disclosed, the popular late night program "Earthwatch," hosted by veteran journalist Robert Knight, was suddenly canceled on the morning of July 26. "Earthwatch" dealt with environmental matters, earth and space-related issues, and breaking news on a number of issues, including the ongoing Pacifica crisis. Knight has been part of the station for well over a decade, at one time interviewing former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. It is unclear whether Knight himself will be allowed to continue working in the news department of WBAI and Pacifica. Judging from on-air announcements, it seems all but certain that his long-time program has been permanently canceled.
On Monday morning, during an overnight program entitled "Night Drum," veteran WBAI producer Brother Shine announced his resignation and the cancellation of that program. "This is no longer a place that respects individual opinion," he said during an emotional farewell. "This is a place that is now being driven by likes and dislikes of individuals to the point that it is obsession - an obsession that is hurting the station."
He signed off with the words: "Brother Shine. I've been here. Now I'm gone."
Tuesday brought news that the two main producers of "Health Action" (Bob Lederer and Kathy Davis) have been banned from producing that program effective immediately. A third producer who has remained silent on the WBAI crisis was given sole rights to continue the program. Lederer was banned outright from the station while Davis was given the opportunity to continue working on another program she produces, but only if she agreed to certain conditions. The memo to Lederer was posted by him to various mailing lists and reads as follows:
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To: Bob Lederer
cc: Diabel Faye, Nicholas Cimorelli
From: Utrice Leid [signed]
Re: Health Action
8/3/01
This is to inform you that effective immediately, Health Action will be hosted solely by Nicholas Cimorelli. Further, you are hereby instructed that you may not host, co-host or contribute to any other program on WBAI.
You repeatedly had been advised that you were abusing the privilege of broadcasting by using the program as a soapbox for other than public interest reasons. Rather, you repeatedly misused the program for purposes in which you [had] vested interests and which you were a leading participant. Additionally, the programs were decidedly one-sided, unfair, unethical and unprofessional. Despite repeated warnings, you persisted in doing such programs. This memorandum also serves as notice to you that you have no further connection with the station. As such, your physical presence no longer is necessary. Please be advised that you are not to be on these premises. To do so will be considered trespassing.
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The memo to Davis was also posted:
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To: Kathy Davis
cc: Diabel Faye, Nicholas Cimorelli
From: Utrice Leid [signed]
Re: Health Action
8/3/01
This is to inform you you that effective immediately, Health Action will be hosted solely by Nicholas Cimorelli. Bob Lederer has similarly been informed. However, you may continue to host Heart of Mind on Mondays from 8pm to 9pm with the following conditions:
* You will develop a concise program description and once reviewed and accepted, stick to it. That is to say, extraneous matters that do not pertain to the intent of your program are outside of its scope.
* If the program in any way strays from its mission with the intent to inspire listeners to go against the will of current management, and if you as host do the same, the program will be cancelled and you will be off the air. You will receive no further warning about this.
* You will observe all practices associated with ethical journalism, that is, thorough preparation as host on the subject matter, disclosure, where applicable, balance, fairness, and a strong effort to serve the informational needs of our listeners.
* Enthusiastic participation in our fundraising events.
If you agree to abide by these conditions, you may proceed with the program. If not, please advise as soon as possible.
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Since the management change at WBAI last December, roughly a dozen producers have been banned or fired from the station, with the cancellation of the popular "Wakeup Call" hosted by veteran journalist Amy Goodman and former program director Bernard White; "Building Bridges," a program dedicated to labor issues that was terminated in the middle of an interview with Congressman Major Owens while he was discussing the Pacifica crisis; and "Al Lewis Live," hosted by well known activist and former actor "Grandpa Al" Lewis, also an outspoken critic of the current regime at WBAI.
In January, journalist Juan Gonzalez resigned on the air during the nationally broadcast "Democracy Now!" and started the Pacifica Campaign, dedicated to ousting members of the Pacifica National Board, a self-electing organization that has drawn considerable criticism for changes made both within the organization and at individual Pacifica stations. A number of board members have since resigned, leading some to speculate that the campaign of this and various other listener groups may be close to success.
