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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Seven member committee... decision by
consensus... if no consensus, Mary decides. That pretty much
spells out why the previous PAC incarnation did not work.<br>
<br>
I could get behind a proposal for a three-person PAC, whose
reviews and recommendations would be public, if we can figure out
a good process for selecting them and setting criteria for their
work. (From watching the previous committee, I would have to say
this is much harder than it seems.) Then the Program Director
could still have authority to make the decisions, and the whole
process would be more open than at present. Such a PAC would
operate largely independently from staff and require as little
staff time as possible.<br>
<br>
Basically what I am hearing is that a number of people simply
don't trust the current Program Director to make these decisions.
I'm not sure that's fair, but having an independent PAC to
introduce some public input might be a way to alleviate that
concern.<br>
<br>
Do you have an alternative to "NPR-haters?" NPR-dislikers just
doesn't sound good to me. :) As for preferring different news
sources, KZYX runs at least four: DN, Hartmann, PRI, and NPR,
plus a little bit of local news (and I know the management is
really hoping to expand that). If you are not in favor of
eliminating NPR, then what do you propose? Basically we get
Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Fresh Air, plus a few
shorter weekend shows (Wait Wait, LRC, On the Media). If you want
to eliminate one or more of those, let us know which. If not,
then why are we discussing it? Did I misunderstand, and it is
some other syndicated programming to which you and others object?<br>
<br>
Now, as to the mix of public affairs vs. music programming: I
will provide those numbers, but first, I have to admit to some
sensitivity about this. I think music programming is important
and makes valuable contributions to our community, and KZYX has
some standout music programmers whose contributions are sometimes
ignored when the focus is on public-affairs programming. I am
doing both, having taken on a monthly production of Ecology Hour,
and understand the two types of programs require different kinds
of effort, skills, and commitment.<br>
<br>
Note: This is pasted from an Excel spreadsheet table. Depending
on your e-mail reader, and the Listserv settings, the formatting
might not work.<br>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width:144pt"
cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="192">
<colgroup><col style="width:48pt" span="3" width="64"> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20">
<td class="xl65" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt"
height="20" width="64">hrs/wk</td>
<td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">2009</td>
<td style="width:48pt" align="right" width="64">2014</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20">
<td class="xl66" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt"
height="20" width="64">NPR</td>
<td class="xl65">28</td>
<td align="right">32.5</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:30.0pt" height="40">
<td class="xl66" style="height:30.0pt;width:48pt"
height="40" width="64">Other Synd PA</td>
<td class="xl65">42.5</td>
<td align="right">43.5</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:30.0pt" height="40">
<td class="xl66" style="height:30.0pt;width:48pt"
height="40" width="64">Synd Music</td>
<td class="xl65">3</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20">
<td class="xl66" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt"
height="20" width="64">Local PA</td>
<td class="xl65">17.5</td>
<td align="right">12</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:30.0pt" height="40">
<td class="xl66" style="height:30.0pt;width:48pt"
height="40" width="64">Local Music</td>
<td class="xl65">77</td>
<td align="right">73</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20">
<td class="xl66" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt"
height="20" width="64">Total</td>
<td class="xl65">168</td>
<td align="right">168</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
As to the demographics, I don't think it can be disputed that they
are changing, though maybe it can be overstated. In any case, I
don't think it is realistic to expect that KZYX programming would
not change as well. <br>
<br>
Tim<br>
<br>
<br>
On 5/18/2014 6:45 PM, doug mckenty wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CAKNFa+K18nSHufkL6Ss+G08GR+2xuMtO-7A1Sy+-7UUwWvf=ug@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">Ok,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>A lot to get around to. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>The construction of the PAC was interesting. One member
elected by the board, one by the programmers and one by the
community advisory board. These people were to get together
with the program director and choose three more according to a
matrix of needs. The seven member committee makes programming
decisions by consensus, though if consensus is not found the pd
gets the last word. Any conflict should be reviewed by the
grievance process. I thought it was a good start. My sense of
the story is that it started off pretty strong but the air went
out of the tires when word came down after John C. became
general manager and the decision was made that the consensus of
the group was not binding, and the group was only advisory in
nature. That interpretation of the documentation won the day
and, neutered of any real power, the PAC because redundant
because there was already a CAB. That is the story as I have
interpreted it from speaking with people who were involved. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>About the NPR question. Tim, will you please stop referring
to people who prefer news sources different from NPR as "NPR
haters." As one of them, this attitude feels caustic and I am
afraid will only work to continue to alienate the large
percentage of Mendocino county residents who feel as I do.
Also, I want to know why many at the station feel that someone
is trying to eliminate NPR. Where is this coming from? Paul
Lambert accused me of the same thing, trying to eliminate NPR.
Where did he hear it? The only time I ever heard anyone speak
publicly about eliminating NPR was Annie Esposito at a board
meeting where she advocated eliminating NPR and keeping the news
department. She pointed to KMUD as a successful example.
Please let me know who these people are who have advocated for
this other than Annie, so I can let them know I think it would
be a terrible idea.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Also, though I appreciate your research, could I ask you to
take it one step further and remove the programs that are
musical in nature. Will you compare the daily dose of locally
produced public affairs programs vs. the dose of NPR or other
"canned" news sources. I don't think the music programming is a
much of an issue here as this communities ability to hear
locally produced programs about national and
international issues that give us an alternative perspective
from NPR. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>One more thing about the demographics issue. I swear I have
heard this notion that our radio station can't be "hippie"
because too many "yuppies" have moved in, about ten times in the
last two weeks. In most instances there was the hint of sadness
at the passing of an age. I am forty one years old and my wife
and I and all my friends who did not grow up here moved here
because we wanted to get back to the land and we wanted to raise
our children in one of the most progressive communities in our
country. I have not seen indications of yuppie invasion in my
community nor any indication that more canned material or
NPR has led to many large donations from these people.
Conversely, I do think a show about marajuanna might improve
our ability to find such donors. I for one hope that the old
hippies will not give up...</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Wait, there is more. The PAC is not designed to satisfy
everyone, it is designed in part to create a public forum where
critical individuals can go to complain. This not only takes
the onus off staff, which would alleviate a lot of
unnecessary stress, but provides a venue where the complaint can
be listened to in a transparent way. I think having the program
application review process become transparent would eliminate a
lot of the issues that come up. And giving those critical of
current policy the opportunity to apply for the committee if
they are passionate also gives them the hope that if others
agree, real change is possible. The function of the PAC is to
neutralize the negative energy of the complainer, not an effort
to please everyone. That is impossible. Though most Public
radio stations have no such committee and allow the program
director control, many Community radio stations, of which KZYX
is one, do employ such a committee as they find it helps reduce
conflict.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Doug</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<a href="http://oakandthorn.wordpress.com">Oak & Thorn</a><br>
Facebook: Oak and Thorn</div>
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