At KPFK-FM in Los Angeles, more than 125 community programmers have been taken off the air and replaced by a few paid programmers whose content is closely monitored from above. At KPFA-FM in Berkeley, the situation is similar. One group which is not benefiting are the activist communities who relied on the Berkeley and Los Angeles stations as their means of communication and mobilization. In the past, there were a large number of different programs with autonomous producers who could provide a forum for the many issues motivating people in the community. These programs tend to focus attention on national and international organizations, and while they provide information, do not provide a doorway for those who desire to act on what they have learned.
Most activism occurs on a local level, even if the issues are international.
Hearing from the executive director of a large advocacy organization may be informative, but it does not extend a hand to would-be participants. Political activity is reduced to letter writing to elected officials, arguably not a way to accomplish much. Many are asking, and the memo above intensifies the relevance of these questions, whether this is by design. Autonomy for the broadcaster and the willingness to offend and provoke, as well as inspire, were the founding principles of this organization. It is fine to document the 25th anniversary of the Wounded Knee rebellion, but there is no program on KPFK, here in Los Angeles, directing itself to the current struggles of the indigenous people of this land.