An unvarnished blog that dips into the past and comments on the present of WBAI-FM, a once significant, intelligent New York radio station that for years has suffered chronic abuse from within and now nears extinction. Your comments are welcomed and will not be censored.
Credit to Phillips both for his efforts in difficult-to-desperate circumstances and for his courage in speaking out.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what develops next in this sordid little soap opera.
~ Indigo Pirate
I can't recall the last time I felt as much sorrow for someone I've never met--and as much anger toward the people who deceived him--as I did when I heard Philips yesterday morning.
ReplyDeleteWhen he said he could no longer pitch for the station, I--for the first time--wished for the demise of the station, and the Pacifica network.
Last evening, I tuned in--mainly out of habit--while I was doing some work. When I heard the producer/host of "Out-FM" soliciting donations and membership I hoped that the program was pre-recorded before the producer/host got the news Philips conveyed. Otherwise, they (and anyone else who pitches from now on) is participating in a fraud.
I know exactly how you feel, Justine, and those who still pitch are indeed either super naïve or perpetuating the fraud.
DeleteI meant "he" is participating in a fraud. Typo!
ReplyDeleteIf so, he certainly would not be alone—by now, I can't imagine that anyone at the station hasn't heard the news, yet most of them continue to pitch. They are either sadly delusional or selflessly generous—surely, they don't think that they, themselves, will benefit from any money raised.
DeleteA few hours ago, I heard Reggie Johnson tell his audience that it really didn't matter to him whether they donate, or not. He has obviously seen the handwriting on the wall and recognizes how ludicrous it is to suggest that people throw away their money.
Blue board down again?
ReplyDeleteI went out about five hours ago and the BB was down, Just returned home and it's still down. Considering the state of the station, this is an off coincidence, but probably unrelated.
DeleteJim Freund said on his show this morning Andrew Phillips has gone back to California. Is this true? Is he no longer the Interim Program Director? Did he resign after his strong statements against management the other morning? What happened to the bleeping blueboard?
ReplyDeleteI didn't hear that, but Jim Freund and Andrew seemed to share dreams for WBAI's resurrection, so I am sure that information correct. There would be no point in Andrew sticking around after the shoddy treatment he received from Pacifica. He tried hard to do the job he was brought in for, and I am sure that people like Reimers and various LSB members tested his remarkable tolerance.
DeleteBerthold's *only* communication about all of this has been the following email:
ReplyDelete"Many of you are calling about programming and WBAI. Please do not. Haste make waist. When it os all together we will send you an e-mail with details.
Meanwhile, please focus on the drive and know that we reserve the right to pre-empt you with short notice. I am sure you can understand why. If your show usually makes no money or very little, it does not make sense for us to put you on during these next 2 or 3 weeks.
I am trying to be as direct as possible. Meanwhile, please be patient."
Extraordinary!
DeleteLast night on the computer show one of the guys (Joe King maybe?) said that people should donate to pay the severance for those that were laid off - would that it could somehow be guaranteed that this is where the money would go!
DeleteThat would only partially be a worthy cause, considering how some of them were getting paid for nothing more than stroking their own egos. I would like to see the news department return, but the other on-air people leave no good memories behind, as far as I'm concerned.
DeleteJoe King has to worry about his own show. I think you are right in assuming that the dismissed have low priority when it comes to disbursement—unless the union puts the squeeze on that wimpy "GM."
I definitely want the news department to get their severance pay (or, better yet, return to the air). But I have the same question as 12:46: If I were to make a donation, how could I be sure it would be used for that purpose?
ReplyDeleteThe answer is that you can't be sure, unless the union steps in and more law suits are on the horizon. I recall a Pacifica Board that adhered to term restriction and shoed no self-serving interest in Pacifica, but were always ready to help us managers. They were accomplished academicians and businessmen.
DeleteI just finished listening to the audio clip of Andrew Phillips' broadcast of October 15th... ... I have been holding out on renewing membership pledges as I lost my confidence and faith in the survival of WBAI. I didn't know of the Daily News article, but I can't say I'm surprised with all that has been going on, especially this past year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris, for keeping us informed.
My G-d. My heart is beyond broken, We had a chance a hope. The Pacifica Failure Machine killed it. I feel so tired, and sad. So sad.
ReplyDeleteall mixed up, ear massage, through the opera glass, chris whent..... good-bye sunday morning radio. so sad.
ReplyDelete