KPFA Returns to Its Regular Programming

Free speech redoubt KPFA-FM went back on the air Thursday after a lengthy lockout sparked by debate over the future of America’s oldest listener-supported radio station.

As regular programming resumed, however, community activists vowed to continue their struggle against the station’s corporate parent, the nonprofit Pacifica Foundation, which has angered many KPFA supporters by attempting to exert more control over the station’s eclectic mix of alternative programming.

“Although we retook the station unconditionally, Pacifica could still pull the plug on us at any time,” said C.S. Soong, a KPFA producer.

The Pacifica Foundation found itself at loggerheads with the staff at KPFA, the flagship of Pacifica radio, earlier this year after it announced a new “strategic vision” for its radio stations, which include KPFK-FM (90.7) in Los Angeles, KPFT in Houston, WBAI in New York and WPFW in Washington. The disruptions have been isolated to KPFA.

Pacifica said the changes were aimed at giving the stations broader appeal and a higher national profile. But KPFA stalwarts said the strategy was simply an attempt to muffle the station’s progressive voice to attract more advertising.

A series of staff firings led to street protests outside KPFA’s headquarters, prompting dozens of arrests and a 17-day lockout as Pacifica circled its wagons.

Pacifica this week relented and put the station back into the hands of the regular staffers. On Thursday, regular programming resumed with a moderated discussion of the station’s recent problems.

The staffers say they are pleased to be back at work but voiced fears that Pacifica may simply sell the station to resolve the dispute. Pacifica has denied any plans to put KPFA on the market.

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Scott Wildman (D-Los Angeles) said that an Assembly panel will hold hearings later this month to examine the conduct of the Pacifica Foundation during the recent conflict. At issue, he said, would be the governance and accountability of the nonprofit foundation.