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WBAI 99.5 FM Announces Programming Changes and Reform Plan
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Don Rojas
212-209-2830,
donrojas@wbai.org
NEW YORK (Nov. 17) -- WBAI Radio 99.5 FM today unveiled
the implementation of a wide-ranging reform plan designed
to attract new listeners and strengthen its historic role
as New York's radio voice for peace and social justice. Among the new programming initiatives to be launched by December
1 are headline news at the top of the hour, a redesigned
drive-time morning show, Latino public affairs programs
in both Spanish and English, and a weekly civil liberties
program.
And, beginning in January 2004, the station will expand
its coverage of the national election campaigns, the
ongoing war in Iraq, and the growing movement for media
reform.
"Now, more than ever, the people of the New York metropolitan area need independent
media like WBAI to provide them with an alternative source of news, commentaries
and analyses," said Don Rojas, the station's general manager.
"Media giants like Infinity Broadcasting, Clear Channel, and National Public
Radio are not doing the job of adequately informing listeners about what's happening
in the communities of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut -- let alone Iraq
and around the world."
Only independent voices like WBAI can counter the daily
dose of lies and deceit from the corporate media, added
Rojas.
The restructuring package outlined by WBAI's general
manager involves a combination of new and improved programming,
possible workforce reductions, strict cost controls,
increased administrative efficiencies, and more accountability
to the station's listeners and financial donors.
As a non-profit, community radio station, WBAI -- one
of five stations nationwide operated by the Pacifica
Foundation -- does not accept commercial advertising
or corporate underwriting. The station operates on a
yearly budget of $4 million with 85% of revenues coming
from listener support primarily through on-air fund raising
drives.
But in the recent fall fund drive the station missed
its goal of $1.2 million by $400,000.
In a remarkable display of unity and resolve, a team
of representatives from station management, paid staff
(represented by American Federation of Television and
Radio Artists -- AFTRA), unpaid producers, the local
advisory board, and concerned listeners has been assembled
to plan and execute an emergency fundraising campaign with a goal
of raising $300,000 by December 31 in order to forestall imminent
staff layoffs.
This campaign will continue through the first half
of 2004 with the goal of raising an additional $1.4 million
(beyond the normal $2.7 million goal of scheduled fundraising
drives) by the end of September 2004.
"While positive energy is building on all fronts to make the emergency campaign
a success," said Rojas, "it is imperative that we also focus on the development
of sustainable, recurring revenue streams that would complement the periodic
on-air fund drives."
In this regard, WBAI's management is exploring the
revenue-generating potential of several initiatives such
as electronic commerce (on its Website, wbai.org), streaming
Internet radio channels, and strategic partnerships with
other progressive institutions and with major membership
organizations based in communities served by the station.
"Our team is appealing to the peace and labor movements as well as to New York's
arts and entertainment communities and to listeners with fundraising skills and
development experience to come to WBAI's assistance in this time of need," said
Rojas.
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