GET OFF THE POT and LOOK DOWN
Naïveté taken to the max...
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| Click on note to enlarge it. |
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.
"WBAI is here to serve its producers." —Berthold Reimers
ReplyDeleteAnd all these years, I thought the station was broadcasting to serve the listeners!
It's a tool Chris, not an end all solution to problematic programming. Curious as to how much response it gets.
ReplyDeleteIts easy to mock but at least its a start. He's only raising $6500 a day so far during this fundraiser. He has no choice now but to shake things up. He's pushing WBAI Buddy which is a
ReplyDeletegood idea in principle but he needs to improve handling of the buddy program.
Was a WBAI listener through the 70's and early 80's. Life got in the way and I stopped listening. Tuned back in about a while back and could not fathom why the majority of the program grid was overall dreck.
ReplyDeleteSpent a while reading the various WBAI web pages & groups trying to figure that out - I came to the conclusion that WBAI is no longer worth listening to (or supporting) and took the money elsewhere.
I can't see giving money to a non-profit that seems to be intent on self-destructing. I would bet that I'm not the only person who came to that conclusion....
I’m afraid you are far from alone in your reasoning.
DeleteThe note Reimers sent to producer/hosts this week points to a major part of WBAI’s intellectual (and technical) destruction—absence of professional, focused management.
BTW, the URL in the handwritten missive seems to bypass the access control of the staff section of the WBAI website
ReplyDeleteYes. Consider the source—Reimers is trapped in the darkness of his own ignorance.
Deletepart 1
ReplyDeleteIntroduction
This process is designed to critically appraise WBAI’s current programming to:
• ascertain whether any changes are required
• identify any improvements that may be made
• analyze how programs contribute to WBAI’s broadcasting
• analyze how programs contribute to the Pacifica mission
• assess programs’ effectiveness in building audiences and membership
• describe how each program has developed since its inception
• identify any areas in need of coverage, which currently get none
• measure the diversity in the overall schedule
• identify underserved communities and cultures
• determine programs’ capacities to entertain and educate
• identify an optimum day/week flow of programs for audience retention
WBAI programs carry numerous responsibilities and obligations to the station and the Pacifica Foundation. Specifically, and in no particular order, programs play a significant role in:
ReplyDelete• the establishment and promotion of the station brand
• the received and perceived audio quality of the station
• the promotion and reflection of cultural diversity
• the overall sound of the station across the day and week
• their contribution to the integrated nature of the schedule
• the station format
• the station’s contribution to a just, peaceful and environmentally sustainable society.
This evaluation process gives all programmers and the WBAI staff and audience, and other interested people an opportunity to contribute to the shape of the station’s programming for 2018 and beyond.
Your input to this first part of this process should be offered in a critical and non-partisan manner, and should be fair, accurate and verifiable. It is an opportunity to assess all of the station’s current, past and future offerings, with particular attention to your own programs where appropriate, but also to others. It is also an opportunity to have your opinion on WBAI’s programming heard.
The second part of the process will offer an opportunity for the current and potential future audience to make their assessments via a publicly distributed assessment form.
part 3
ReplyDeleteThe Evaluation
This process is designed for you to look critically at the program you produce for WBAI and to:
• identify its intended audience and the wider WBAI listeners and members
• look at how the program was conceived and whether it is what it set out to be
• track its development from the beginning to now
• see how it fits into the overall WBAI sound
• assess its potential to continue to reach and be meaningful to WBAI’s audience
• consider its success in growing audiences and generating income
• think about whether, and in what ways in can be improved
• make a critical decision about whether it should continue in its present form, change or even be terminated.
The rest of this evaluation form provides questions to consider and calls for your input with regard to the program you produce, or any other that WBAI broadcasts.
Please click the textboxes two times until the cursor appears to fill in your answers.
Program Name
ReplyDeleteWho Is It For?
Describe the reason this program was created and identify the audience for which it is being produced. Consider the whole WBAI audience as you think about this and list more than one particular group if you consider it appropriate, but be specific. Describe how you think it achieves its aims.
How Did It Come To Be?
Describe the way this program came to be proposed and made it onto air. Think about how the idea for it was conceived and how it became a reality. Indicate whether and how it does what it set out to do.
How Has It Changed or Developed?
If the current program is markedly different, detail the way it has changed and the reasons for the changes.
Why Does It Fit In?
In the overall scheme of things that is the WBAI broadcast day or week, describe the ways in which this program contributes to diversity, and what makes it different, complementary, and a necessary part of the schedule. While completing this think about the Pacifica Foundation’s mission. Indicate whether you consider a change of broadcast timeslot to be warranted.
What Does Its Future Look Like?
ReplyDeleteConsider the potential for this program to continue to deliver on its mission, and describe the ways in which it can do so, and whether the audience needs and desires might be met in different ways.
Does It Succeed?
Describe how this program is or could be instrumental in growing WBAI’s audience, demographic profile, and membership. How can it increase listenership to improve its reach, and how can it attract new members, and therefore funding?
What Will Make It Better?
Describe what this program needs to do to improve. Think about content, production, broadcast time and anything else that would make it more effective and include any technology that might support the program better.
What About The Future?
Detail whatever you think appropriate that makes you think this program should continue to broadcast on WBAI. Consider whether it has reached its potential, will continue to be relevant and effective, or should be replaced by something new or different. This could also be a new incarnation of the current program, some modification, or simply the program as it is.
What’s Not There?
Consider any groups, ideas, areas of interest etc that you think are not being served by WBAI and identify ways they might be better served. Think about NYC’s various communities and cultures.
Anything Else?
Please specify anything else that you believe should be taken into account with respect to an evaluation of programming on WBAI. Be as detailed as you wish. Please make any additional general or specific comments that you believe would be helpful.
A Vision
ReplyDeleteWhile this last part is not required, please indicate if you wish to, in as few words as possible, what you consider would be an appropriate vision for WBAI’s future.
Thank you. If you feel that you have something constructive to add to this process as regards programs other than the one with which you are associated, please complete a separate copy of this form for them, and indicate on it that you are commenting on a program other than your own.
Please return the completed form by email to the GM at berthold@wbai.org by Friday May 25, 2018
Quite hopeless.
ReplyDelete~ 'indigo'