As expected, the Pacifica Foundation has released a Request for Proposals to run Pacifica station WBAI in New York City via a Local Management Agreement. Various interesting strings are attached to this RFP, among them:
Pacifica must retain “ultimate control” over the LMA’s programming and even be able to preempt or reject various shows to prevent Federal Communications Commission violations “or to address an issue of local or national interest.”
The LMA must retain two Pacifica employees, “one of whom has managerial responsibilities and who reports solely to Pacifica.”
WBAI must have a main studio “staffed, in part, by Pacifica employees,” and:
“Pacifica will favor proposals that allow Pacifica to reserve some of the air time on WBAI for programming produced or selected by Pacifica. The days and times of the retained program blocks are negotiable.”
The RFP requires WBAI to retain its non-commercial status and adhere to Corporation for Public Broadcasting policies (or at least not jeopardize Pacifica’s ability to receive CPB grants).
This document strikes me as contoured for some group and/or someone who is very familiar with or even presently working with the organization. No judgment here. Just saying . . . the deadline for proposals is November 6.
