A Grand Schubbing Indeed:
KPFK Cancellation List 1994-Present

From a posting by Bernie Eisenberg
As updated 24 Jan 02

The major purges began at KPFK in January 1995 after executive director Pat Scott fired the management, seized the books, suspended contract negotiations and enforced the gag rule.

Pacifica's consultant Giovannoni recommended main streaming the programming.

Mark Schubb, named general manager in June of that year, told dissident listeners that they could easily be replaced by new listeners through program changes. In 1999, Schubb, popularly known as "the gagmaster," boasted of having removed 150+ programmers and staffers.

Here is my [Bernie's] updated list in alphabetical order.

I'm aware that this list is probably incomplete and probably has lots of errors and omissions.

Knowledgeable persons should send corrections/additions to [Bernie] and I [we] will update and repost on a regular basis. It's a start, anyway.

 

PRIOR TO 1994

Programs
---------------

  1. Colectivo Latinoamericano (dismantled in 1985)
  2. Read All About It (19??, Bill Gallegos, volunteer on air about 8 years)

Individuals
---------------

  1. Arturo Lemus (volunteer programmer fro 1981-1985 for Colectivo Latinoamericano)
  2. Marc Cooper (fired in Sep. 1983 for criticizing KPFT running NPR instead of PNN and WPFW running no news at all) [Since rehired as on-air 'personality' -Hugh]

 

1994 AND AFTER

Programs
--------------

  1. All About Books (Pearl Skotnes)
  2. Alternative Radio (David Barsamian, purged in 2001 for refusing to allow AR tapes to be used as premiums in the fund drive)
  3. American Indian Airwaves (Marcos Lopez)
  4. Atheists United (Ken Bonnell, Milt Timmons)
  5. Belize Caribbean Pulse (Pam Reyes)
  6. Blase Bonpane's Commentary (1996-1998, harassed and driven out)
  7. Cambridge Forum West
  8. Caracol Pucci
  9. Catch 22 (Marshall Hyman, et al)
  10. Centerstand (Margaret Fowler, et al)
  11. Clave Latina (Fernando Velasquez, Lydia Brazon, et al)
  12. Communist Party USA
  13. Continent to Continent (Ron Wilkins 1983- February 1996, program cut off and fired for gag rule, specifically discussing treatment of programmers of color at Pacifica)
  14. East Wind (Miya Iwataki, 13 year volunteer producer/programmer, purged)
  15. Enfoque Latino (August 1999, cancelled for gag rule violations)
  16. Family Tree (Jan Robinson-Flint, Kamal Hassan, Marques Lewis, et al)
  17. Focus on the Americas (Blase Bonpane 1969-1995, fired-no reason given on his answering machine)
  18. Folkscene (Roz and Howard Larman, cancelled after 31 years, Y2K Contract non-signing)
  19. Freedom Now (Ken Carr, 1983-1994, purged)
  20. Genesis of a Music (David Porter, with Bill Mitchell's political commentary)
  21. Gospel Caravan (Irma Robertson)
  22. Green Perspectives (Michael Feinstein)
  23. Health Department (Al Huebner, program cut off the air and fired in Feb. 1995 after 21 years for breaking the gag rule)
  24. Homeless Program (Michael Taylor, news room intern)
  25. Hour 25 (removed for not signing Schubb's "Y2K Contract Memo" demanding full ownership rights to programmers shows)
  26. Imaginary Landscape (Carl Stone, Bonnie Barnett)
  27. In Fidelity (Peter Sutheim)
  28. Islamic Perspectives (Loraine Mirza, program volunteer and 5 year newsroom reporter, purged 1995)
  29. Journey Through the Realms of Music (Bill Davila, 1981-1996)
  30. Just a Minute (Nancy Hollander)
  31. Music of the Americas (Jeannie Pool)
  32. On Film (Dean Cohen, Brandi French)
  33. Organic Gardening (Andy Lopez)
  34. Poetry Connexxion (Wanda Coleman, Austin Strauss, 1982-1998)
  35. Producciones Pajaro Latino
  36. Psychology for the People (Steve Portugese)
  37. Radio Chicana (John Martinez, 7 year volunteer producer/programmer purged Oct.1999 for airing segment on crisis at KPFA)
  38. Radio Collusion (Paul Sanoian)
  39. Reefer Radio (Tom Jefferson)
  40. Seditious Beats (Fidel Rodriguez, gag rule)
  41. Smoke Rings (John Brekow)
  42. Soundings (Jacki Apple, Tom Recchion, Tony Mostrom)
  43. Sounds of Jamaica (Miss Wirewaist)
  44. Sunday Opera (Fred Hyatt)
  45. Wizards Show (Shel Plotkin, Bob Nelson, dismantled after 15 years when air time was changed to 8am Sunday)

Individuals
---------------

  1. Fernando Velasquez (20 year programmer/producer Spanish-English news and public affairs, purged 1999 for solidarity with freepacifica movement)
  2. Lee Siu Hin (reporter/programmer at WBAI and KPFK, 1992-1999, left in solidarity with John Martinez)
  3. Lyn Gerry (production engineer, union steward, independent producer, 1988-1995, fired)
  4. Oly Mogollan (volunteer Producciones Pajaro Latine and Enfoque Latino, 1986-1999, censored 1999)
  5. Raymundo Reynoso (producer, ?)
  6. Robin Urevich (news volunteer 1992-1999 and contributor to PNN 1993-1999, banned from station for publishing outside article, 1999)
  7. Vince Ivory (Tuesday Community Calendar, 14 year volunteer banned in 1999)

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