WBAI Local Programming Ceases

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

From WBAI's PD: "WBAI Producers there is no on air broadcasting tonight or until further notice."

Well There was going to be a hearing on October 18th over the status of Pacifica Radio and WBAI-FM though.

 

[TheBigA]

Well There was going to be a hearing on October 18th over the status of Pacifica Radio and WBAI-FM though.

It doesn't mean a thing. Clearly Pacifica has ignored the injunction, and local programming is shut down.

 

[Tibbs4]

It doesn't mean a thing. Clearly Pacifica has ignored the injunction, and local programming is shut down.

So in NY the "local" authorities and "local" staff have more power over the owners of this station than the actual owners of the station and the FCC that granted their license?

 

[TheBigA]

So in NY the "local" authorities and "local" staff have more power over the owners of this station than the actual owners of the station and the FCC that granted their license?

Not really, since as of now, the owners are still in control of the station, and the local staff are still off the air.

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/...orary-restraining-order-to-return-to-station/

The local staff had a big meeting tonight, and the local board will meet tomorrow. But as of now, national programming is on 99.5 FM

 

[Tibbs4]

Not really, since as of now, the owners are still in control of the station, and the local staff are still off the air.

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/...orary-restraining-order-to-return-to-station/

The local staff had a big meeting tonight, and the local board will meet tomorrow. But as of now, national programming is on 99.5 FM

I can only imagine how big of a meeting it was, BigA. Catered Big Macs, since the staff can't afford to buy their own food, but can obviously run this station better than the owners?

This is really great entertainment. Best quote so far:

"WBAI managed to get an injunction to stay the takeover of the station. This means the station is legally back in the hands of WBAI's personnel."

Thank You,
Berthold Reimers
WBAI Radio 99.5 FM
General Manager


So, let me get this right, GM Berthold Reimers got a stay to stall the takeover of the station by the DAMN PEOPLE on the license/i.e. actual owners/people who pay what bills they can actually almost possibly pay? How in the world would this takeover by the owner's possibly be allowed? Michael Savage is to blame for this, I tell you. He lives near Pacifica. Think Judge Wapner can be dug up to hear this case?

 

[TheBigA]

So, let me get this right, GM Berthold Reimers got a stay to stall the takeover of the station by the DAMN PEOPLE on the license/i.e. actual owners/people who pay what bills they can actually almost possibly pay?

I'm not sure this guy is still the GM. I'm under the impression he was fired with the rest of the staff. In reading the injunction, it was based on the idea that the staff was dismissed without warning and without cause, and that the Executive Director of Pacifica had co-opted the local management against the company by-laws. But in reading Pacifica's statement on the station website, it addresses both of those points directly, by saying the local station knew it was $4 million in debt, and hadn't addressed the deteriorating financial condition. So my sense is Pacifica feels they are legally justified in ignoring the TRO, and that's the case they'll present on 10/18.

 

[Tibbs4]

I'm not sure this guy is still the GM. I'm under the impression he was fired with the rest of the staff. In reading the injunction, it was based on the idea that the staff was dismissed without warning and without cause, and that the Executive Director of Pacifica had co-opted the local management against the company by-laws. But in reading Pacifica's statement on the station website, it addresses both of those points directly, by saying the local station knew it was $4 million in debt, and hadn't addressed the deteriorating financial condition. So my sense is Pacifica feels they are legally justified in ignoring the TRO, and that's the case they'll present on 10/18.

Thanks BigA, I want to be clear that I am poking fun at this absolute circus and not questioning your thoughts on this. Maybe I am just too old to get that it's perfectly ok to have the inmates in this radio assylum run things any way they see fit, regardless of whether they even are getting any more paychecks. I know these people are extremely special and obviously delicate and should not be out of jobs, like the rest of REAL radio would be in a heartbeat. What do I know? Should I hire this GM so he can make sure his vast knowledge and business experience guarantees that I can make my payroll, meet my sales projections and never have to panic about making ends meet again?

Now, to be honest... I am sorry these people are out of a jobs. That is tough. My guess is these managers can now be held MORE accountable and indeed WILL be for their lack of follow through and success because they
have challenged their owner's fiduciary responsibility and possibly are liable for their actions against their company.

 

[TheBigA]

Maybe I am just too old to get that it's perfectly ok to have the inmates in this radio assylum run things any way they see fit, regardless of whether they even are getting any more paychecks.

After watching a few videos posted today by former staffers, I agree with your description of "inmates running the asylum."

 

[Tibbs4]

In this case, I feel that I correctly spelled assylum....

These poor folks actually believed their own rhetoric and think they can just stay if they want too, because....?

 

[gr8oldies]

The proletariat seizing the means of production, I guess. Just like it's supposed to work for society at large under their vision.

In this case, I feel that I correctly spelled assylum....

These poor folks actually believed their own rhetoric and think they can just stay if they want too, because....?

 

[PTBoardOp94]

I browsed through WBAI's twitter profile this morning. They re-tweeted supportive messages from America's next president Bill DeBlasio (hah) and New York state Attorney General Letitia James. So they do in fact have some powerful friends.

 

[FreddyE1977]

So in NY the "local" authorities and "local" staff have more power over the owners of this station than the actual owners of the station and the FCC that granted their license?

Welcome to New York State. Where government truly believes that
"All You [fill in the blank] belong us!"

 

[TheBigA]

Here is the latest post from the WBAI twitter feed:

WBAI New York at 99.5 FM

Know that at present @wbai is not programming our airwaves despite a TRO, temporary restraining order from the court which gives us back local control.

 

[Barry]

RadioInsight is reporting that Pacifica is challenging the Temporary Restraining Order that was issued against them by a NYS Court. The challenge is being mounted in a Federal court. The article states that a decision is due today.
Meanwhile, at least one of the (former?) staff members that returned to the WBAI studios yesterday asserted the reason they cannot return local programming to WBAI is that Pacifica personnel removed the EAS equipment, which is required by the F.C.C.
It is unclear whether they would be able to replace the national feed with local programming even if new EAS equipment was installed, as the studios may not have a functioning link to the transmitter.
So the Pacifica Across America feed from California is still being broadcast by WBAI, despite some articles, ie in InsideRadio that are erroneously reporting local content is back on the station.

 

[Brian Bowers]

My question is, who is the station officially licensed to? Who holds that license? Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't *that* person have the final authority to make key decisions here? Does not Pacifica hold the license? The EAS box may have disappeared from the studio, but if it's now in the transmitter room at 4 Times Square, then WBAI is in full compliance. And if Pacifica holds the license, and has decided to halt programming from the studios, then that's their decision, of which they have the right to. What am I missing here?

 

[Barry]

The WBAI (former?) staff alleged in court that the decision to shut down the station was made unilaterally by Pacifica's Director, in a manner inconsistent with its by-laws. Pacifica has a complex system for making significant decisions, that may involve a vote by its National Board. The court may have imposed the temporary restraining order in an attempt to sort this out.

More (Including a possible new studio EAS device): https://pacificainexile.org/archives/2750

 

[TheBigA]

My question is, who is the station officially licensed to?

The license is held by the Pacifica Foundation. They are the responsible party. They have a new executive director, and this was his decision.

The WBAI (former?) staff alleged in court that the decision to shut down the station was made unilaterally by Pacifica's Director, in a manner inconsistent with its by-laws.

The problem is that the station has been borrowing money from the national. That has led to a $4 million debt. That's what pushed the Foundation's hand. Had the station operated in the black, things would have been fine.

 

[Brian Bowers]

Had the station operated in the black, things would have been fine.[/QUOTE]

...just like every other radio station. In the P&L Statement world, once there's more L's than P's, for a considerable length of time, everyone had better watch out, and be careful.

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

Don't forget...a very similar situation to this happened at the "mothership", KPFA in Berkeley back around 99-2000.

Foundation decided to go in a different programming direction, local (paid and unionized staff plus the volunteers and their friendly GM) staged a sit-in. Couple people got arrested (including the recently fired GM), and the foundation staged a lock out for a few weeks until they could sort out the mess and put in updated staff/managers.

Only difference is KPFA was not on life support around Y2K. WBAI is, and its causing a burden to the rest of the network.

From what I've read (mostly propaganda from anti-WBAI folks who hate whats on there now), I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if beyond trespassing arrests, you see a fraud indictment or two handed down to some local staff...

I'll put the popcorn in the microwave and eagerly enjoy the inevitable anti-climatic outcome.

 

[TheBigA]

Don't forget...a very similar situation to this happened at the "mothership", KPFA in Berkeley back around 99-2000.

It's also happened several times at WBAI. And yes, there were sit-ins, protests, and even some vandalism

At some point, you have to bite the bullet and I think that's what happened here. They knew the consequences.