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News :: Miscellaneous |
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PNB to quit, cede power to new board to democratize Pacifica |
Current rating: 0 |
by SavePacifica
(No verified email address) |
18 Nov 2001
Modified: 19 Nov 2001 |
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A major breakthrough in the struggle to save Pacifica from corporatization |
 A major breakthrough in the struggle to save Pacifica from corporatization |
November 18, 2001: Dissident and majority members of the Pacifica National Board of Directors agreed Sunday on a formula that would turn control of the network over to an interim board that would in turn set up a structure for democratization of Pacifica. Dissidents and majority factions would each appoint five members to the new board, and five would be appointed by heads of the five Pacifica Local Advisory Boards. (LAB chairs would not be able to appoint themselves.) Democracy Now!, which has been broadcast only over KPFA for many weeks, would return to its broadcast slot over the entire network, pending resolution of complaints filed against Pacifica by Democracy Now! staff.
Dissident Tomás Moran announced the agreement Sunday morning in a statement broadcast live on KPFA's Sunday Salon from the board's meeting in Washington, D. C. The agreement for a new board may be implemented within days, pending legal review.
Local board elections would be held within six months in each Pacifica broadcast area, at which time new LAB representatives to the national board will be elected. Until then, all decisions by the Pacifica national board will be made by two-thirds vote. When the new LAB representatives are named, decisions will again be made by majority vote, except in case of bylaw changes.
Moran said that members of the current board would resign to make way for the new board. Then the new board would oversee the transition period. It would be authorized hire a new executive director with sharply reduced powers, review the position of the national program director (currently former WBAI manager Utrice Leid), deal with the four lawsuits now pending against the board, and relax the gag rule so that Pacifica’s airwaves will be open to discussions of the new Pacifica. It would also review the status of the fired and banned programmers and the Free Speech Radio News reporters who have struck against Pacifica Network News.
An immediate audit of Pacifica's finances will be ordered as soon as the new board takes control. Moran said he understands Pacifica's financial condition is "very dire" following the expenditure by the present Pacifica majority of an estimated two million dollars in legal, security, and public relations fees.
There will be a guarantee of no sale or lease of any Pacifica assets, Moran said. |
See also:
http://www.savepacifica.net/
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Fantastic! |
by Michael Feltes
mfeltes (nospam) gmx.net (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
19 Nov 2001
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The power of public institutions lies in the hands of those who make up the structure.
Occasionally, those institutions need a reminder of where they stand.
Well done. |
