But the world has turned many times since then, and most of noncommercial radio has now become predictable and formatted. Consultants call the shots. Funding sources have real influence. Stations don't dare to be different.
Diversity receives only lip service.
In the mid-1940s Lew Hill, who had worked in commercial media and knew its failings, formulated a theory that listener support, to the exclusion of all other sources, was the only way to insulate radio's creators, the programmers, from the influence of the marketplace and government. He founded KPFA in Berkeley, California on that theory, and KPFA became the first of five Pacifica stations. But today, Pacifica's management has rejected Hill's wisdom and fully embrace a ratings-worshipping future. We pay no attention to the ratings, and all of the listener contributions go toward the support of the entire station rather than any particular program. WPKN is staffed by volunteers, a paid General Manager and a half-time assistant.