Take back WBAI

Jun 11, 2009

For decades, New Yorkers have relied on WBAI 99.5 FM, in the Pacifica Radio Network, for radio broadcasting that provides real news and perspectives not filtered by corporate media. Now, the station is under attack.

Exploiting a financial crisis at the station, the Pacifica Corp., along with the WBAI Local Station Board majority, are attempting to impose their own brand of programming by removing what some label “racial divisiveness and balkanization”—meaning community self-determination, particularly programs by and for the Black community.

On May 6, WBAI’s progressive Black general manager, Tony Riddle, was fired. Two days later, another progressive Black manager, program director Bernard White, was “suspended” and then fired outright on May 18. Meanwhile Pacifica Corp.’s interim executive director, Grace Aaron, has imposed a gag rule threatening any programmer who discusses these matters on the air.

Join the Coalition to Take Back WBAI on June 17 in a demonstration at the station from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. WBAI is located at 120 Wall St.; take trains 2/3/4/5 to Wall St.

For more information call 212-561-7231 or visit www.takebackwbai.org, www.justiceunity.org and www.wbixradio.org.