The significance of the KPFA board elections

KPFA listeners know that the Local Station Board elections tend to be acrimonious. What many listeners might not realize is that the controversy of the LSB elections actually reflects a historical issue about the nature of community radio itself. The four of us founded the Independents for Community Radio affinity group of LSB candidates with the goal of ensuring that KPFA remains rooted in the communities it serves.
In October, 2008 nearly 90 KPFA staff members issued a statement articulating their goals for leadership at the station. They called for management committed to fulfilling the historic Transformation Proposal made during the 1999 KPFA Lockout. They also called for leaders who support the unpaid staff, maintain a respectful and collaborative approach to station operations, and understand that KPFA should include community representatives on its decision making bodies. (http://mediajusticekpfa.blogspot.com/2008/10/open-letter-on-new-kpfa-lea...). These aspirations remain largely unfulfilled or have been undermined by the current management and its Concerned Listener allies. Read the full article at http://www.indyradio2009.org/content/community-radio-crossroads