Tracy Rosenberg views the pros and cons of Proffitt.
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.
Rosenberg wrote a very insightful article. Interesting that Pacifica national board could not find anyone who would suit their ideology to be the director. Are they so out of touch with reality that they can't find a kindred spirit? It might be wishful thinking on Rosenberg's part, that Proffitt views the job as a temporary place holder, and that PNB hopes to use him for his ability and then dump him.
ReplyDeleteI don't see NPRization of Pacifica as a problem, given the lunatic fringe nature of JUC ideology. As the funding dries up, the NPR is in decline as well, for sure. Their programming is becoming more entertainment and less journalism, but, and it is a big one, NPR practices programming of INCLUSION. On top of that, they have an expanding and a close working ties with the BBC and the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), and NPR's programming is truly DIVERSE without pursuing diversity and inclusion as core goals, the way BAI and Murillo are beating their chests with it. BAI can really learn a lot from NPR about open-mindedness and tolerance.
I have a feeling that Proffitt will face the same kind of pushback, back stabbing and hostility, that Andrew Phillips did, that forced him to resign. I hereby give Proffitt my blessings and hope that he receives the spirit of John Rockerfeller Senior, when it comes to dealing with those at Pacifica, who would derail him. Let NPRization go over BAI like a steamroller! It is time for fresh air and diversity at BAI and who better than NPR to teach them? :))))))))))
I fully agree with BB here in all particulars and in all respects. There may be a chance. That would be a good thing.
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NPRization isn’t the answer to Pastcifica’s problems but just another problem. Getting rid of the myopic, profit focused (political and financial), blacker than thou bigots is. Bring in people of different interests and views in lieu of the race haters, and finally fire them. I mean, WBAI can’t even have a nightly news show. Mario Murillo can’t put a news show on? How low can you get?
DeleteYou know what is so funny? Proffitt is taking a job where he has already, essentially, been told he’s not wanted nor is there any confidence in him. I wouldn’t accept such a job offer, as I’d consider it an insult. Proffitt must be hard up. Maybe that should tell us something…
Tell you what would make sense. NPR has ties with the BBC and CBC, right? Well, why doesn’t Pastcifica make ties with Radio Havana Cuba, Radio Pyongyang (N. Korea) and The Voice of Justice (Iran)? Makes contrarian sense to me.
OK, so Fletcher didn’t want the job. Pastcifica is such a respected bastion of left wing media that they couldn’t find even one person of their ilk to accept the ED position? Not one person? Seriously? Maybe Pacifica has an even worse and more meaningless reputation than we previously thought. Even Mario Murillo or Bernard White? Just too funny! Wasn’t Mitchel Cohen offered the job? He’d have paid Pacifica for the position! They really couldn’t find one person with a Pastcifica track record to take the top job? Wait, maybe Pastcifica knows that everyone there is a piece of crap? Sounds like corporate America bringing in CEOs from outside the company.
Do I even have to explain my new term “Pastcifica”?
SDL
Can't do it right now, but listen to Proffitt at 5 minutes in on this audio from last night's Roast for KPTA's Ray Hill.
Deletehttps://app.box.com/s/o590lidmen9xe8ohjarfg41xmdm05b67
Like I said, "Maybe that should tell us something…"
DeleteSDL
I made a comment on the NY Radio Message board people may want to see and/or comment on. Look near the top (today) for the thread titled "WNCN type classical formats."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.musicradio77.com/wwwboard/
SDL
Thank you, SDL. I assume that the following is the comment you refer to:
Delete"Classical music is oddly alive and well on Sunday morning to mid afternoon on WBAI 99.5 FM. Oddly, the three classical programs are among the most donated to shows during beg-a-thon time on this otherwise disaster of a radio station with no listeners.
I'm guessing the classical music listenership is an older holdover from when WBAI had a diverse left wing leaning political and arts format. These listeners probably only tune in for the classical programming and tune out for the rest of the nonsense.
As even "iPD" Mario Murillo recently made a comment about having looked into getting rid of it, my guess is that it simply brings in too much money to drop."
Yes, that one. I think it's pretty on the ball.
DeleteSDL (AlexM)
I agree.
DeleteMakes you wonder if going 24/7 classical wouldn't be a success. They have a good core of hosts they could use as a cadre.
DeleteWith the crap music Murillo is adding, there still isn't a folk music show. Mind boggling.
I guess they already have a country music show, though. Just listen to Bob Fass.
SDL
If they went all classical, they would botch that up, too. What they really need is something the present crew obviously neither wants nor is capable of generating: intelligent, quality programming. The nature of that programming need not be restricted to musical genres or political viewpoints. In fact, the more diversified it is, the better, as long as they emphasis is on quality.
DeleteThe crap we hear now is embarrassing. There are people talking on subjects about which they know little or nothing. Last night, I heard Joyce Jones, who can give a good show, pay a half-assed, painfully uninformed "tribute" to Billie Holiday. She doesn't get it when it comes to artists like Billie, so she should either do her homework or have as guests people who can bring to the microphone something new or truly insightful.
Reading from liner notes and online sales pitches is something we all can do, but shouldn't have to if there was a radio show conducted with a modicum of professionalism by an informed person. I hate to sound like I'm bragging, but the WBAI I managed had great music presenters... you could tune in and hear John Coltrane, Zoot Sims or Jimmy Rushing conduct jazz programs; James Mason did a couple of stints sharing his own collection of ethnic music, Judy Collins, Dave Lambert and Marian McPartland had their own weekly shows. Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris reviewed films, etc. etc.
Most people have no interest in supporting a bunch of fumbling narcissists who foment hatred and try to push their stagnant ideas for causes from which most of the world has moved on. You go to the library to read a book, not tear it to shreds.
It's all in the presentation and level of intelligence. Even today, there are enough people around who appreciate that and are willing to pay for it without being offered snake oil.
(Resending this, as it may have been lost in cyberspace, due to the reptilians...)
ReplyDeleteMy comment about going classical was just a very generalized thought, not what I would want to see. If they did it, they would have to dump all the nit wits, of course. However, I bet a good classical station would have no problem making money to survive.
Of course, a diverse realm of quality people doing quality radio is the key. However, WBAI is about gutter trash putting their friends on the airwaves to do garbage radio. No matter what anyone says, it still goes back to what I said before: two people make half or more of the station's money. Most people make no or almost no money. They simply have no real support and are getting a free ride. For any show to be on it should have to meet a minimal amount of financial upport or be cancelled.
Listen, we are talking about a station that is pushing a joke rabble babble about reperations, and interrupting OTH and TPCS this week for some BS town hall ego trip. Mierda Murillo needs to be told that it's 2015, and the 1980s went out with January 1, 1990.
Today, I would say, there are more people willing to pay for quality shows than ever. Why? Because free media is just about history. People are now used to paying for media - cable TV, satelite radio, etc.
Once again, WBAI and its morons better enjoy the free ride while they can, because when the old folks start dying off, that's it. Bye bye BAI...
Totally unrelated. I think I may have found the king of crackpots. His name is Douglas Dietrich. While listening to Dark Matter Radio today, I couldn't stop for over three hours because of this loon. Did you know the USA sued Japan for peace and surrendered to end WWII, we lost The Battle of Midway, etc.? This guy was simply hysterical in his lunacy. WBAI should offer his crap up for premiums.
http://douglasdietrich.com/
SDL
Heard Proffitt speak... OH NOOOO... he sounds like the second coming of Andrew Phillips... not much hope there... There WAS a Freudian Slip there, though - He said that he was hoping to repay the good favor the Pacifica done to him IN SPADES, and repaying in spades is more like an exuberant pay-back... Discretion is the better part of the valor, but to quit rather than to take on a merger with a new and an unknown media, shows weakness and a failure to adapt, plus, he has a bit of patronizing attitude to all of the community activism at Pacifica, shows his distance from them and his vulnerability.
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