Look,<div><br></div><div>Another molehill.<br><br>On Thursday, May 22, 2014, David <<a href="mailto:uw@kzyx.org">uw@kzyx.org</a>> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<u></u>
<div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">Hi John S.</font></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">You've written a number of missives in the last 24 hours, but
I have yet to receive a response to my email (yesterday's email, reprinted
below) requesting that you schedule your "grievance" meeting. It would seem that
once you move forward on presenting your case some of your complaints might
disappear. . . .</font></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><span><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">David</font></span></div>
<div><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </div>
<div align="left">
<div align="left"><font face="Bodoni MT Black">David Steffen</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Bodoni MT Black">KZYX Business
Development</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Bodoni MT Black">(707) 895-2324
office</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Bodoni MT Black">(707) 322-9895
cell</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Bodoni MT Black">(707) 895-2451
fax</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial"></font> </div></div>
<div><span lang="EN">
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>Good afternoon John.</p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>I read with some interest your latest letter to a local newspaper. In recent
weeks I've resisted any public debate with you over the letter you received from
me more than two weeks ago. It is my opinion that these matters are between a
volunteer programmer and, in this case, the Business Development person . . .
me. Since you first raised the possibility of filing a grievance, I've been
encouraging you to do just that: file a grievance. I've also been upfront about
the rationale for my May 5, 2014 notice to you, a rationale found within the
Volunteer Handbook.</p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>Your justification for not reading the underwriting suggests that the timing
of reading underwriting is at the programmer's discretion. In fact it is not.
The handbook and other materials and presentations I've made to programmers make
this rather clear. It was reaffirmed in the updated 2003 handbook, which was and
is the programmer's guide to requirements and responsibilities. (I might add I
had nothing to do with writing the handbook as it predates me by five years.)
Please note the following excerpts, with which you should already be
familiar:</p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>"RIGHTS, REGULATIONS AND RULES</p>
<p>This section presents summaries of the rights, rules and regulations at MCPB.
Many of the points summarized here are addressed in more detail further on in
this handbook. Programmers assume responsibility for complying with both MCPB
and FCC rules and regulations. A PROGRAMMER WHO DELIBERATELY DOES NOT COMPLY IS
SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS
HANDBOOK.</p>
<p>REGULATIONS APPLYING TO PROGRAMMERS</p>
<p>A programmer is expected to:</p>
<p>1. be proficient in the operation of all equipment that is routinely needed
during his/her shift, 2. be informed of, and must follow all FCC rules and
regulations, 3. read and understand the contents of this handbook.</p>
<p>4. participate in and abide by conflict resolution and grievance procedures,
as outlined in this handbook.</p>
<p>5. read all underwriting announcements assigned to his/her program clearly
and without ad-libs.</p>
<p>6. keep accurate logs of his/her shift time.</p>
<p>7. air station promos, PSAs and other announcements as requested."</p>
<p>I hope you noticed the passage emphasized in the handbook: "A PROGRAMMER WHO
DELIBERATELY DOES NOT COMPLY IS SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS HANDBOOK."</p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>On more than one occasion during 2014, you did not read the underwriting as
scheduled. You're unhappy? Sorry about that but rules are rules. As for your
drumbeat of a potential grievance filing, I've done nothing but encourage you to
file for conflict resolution so we can both put this behind us. In fact, again
referring to the handbook, </p>
<p>"The first step of the conflict resolution procedure is to hold a discussion
of the problem by the parties involved, clarifying points of disagreement and
agreement, proposing solutions, and if possible, coming to a resolution." </p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>That seems straight-forward and, as indicated above, I have advocated for the
established procedure for conflict resolution since the beginning. The handbook
does not order or recommend that issues be litigated in the press or on
listserves. You, however, have chosen to regularly misrepresent the disagreement
on various listserves, and in the local press (as well as, I'm told, in at least
one local vanity publication.)</p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>I have no interest in a public litigation of your grievance in competing
emails or the press. And please resist the temptation to couch this in "free
speech" terms. If you truly believe that you are an aggrieved party, then call
for a meeting to find resolution. Until then I'm asking that you stop writing
letters to editors, or op-ed pieces, or postings on the listserves. It's time to
embrace and endorse the conflict resolution procedure you agreed to when you
became a programmer. Meet face-to-face. It really is that simple.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span></span>David</p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font> </p>
<p>David Steffen</p>
<p>KZYX Business Development</p>
<p>(707) 895-2324 office</p>
<p>(707) 322-9895 cell</p>
<p>(707) 895-2451 fax</p>
<p><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"></font></p></span></div><br>
<div lang="en-us" dir="ltr" align="left">
<hr>
<font face="Tahoma"><b>From:</b> <a href="javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','kzyxtalk-bounces@lists.mcn.org');" target="_blank">kzyxtalk-bounces@lists.mcn.org</a>
[mailto:<a href="javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','kzyxtalk-bounces@lists.mcn.org');" target="_blank">kzyxtalk-bounces@lists.mcn.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of
</b><a href="javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','sako4@comcast.net');" target="_blank">sako4@comcast.net</a><br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 22, 2014 11:58
AM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','tbray@wildblue.net');" target="_blank">tbray@wildblue.net</a>; <a href="javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org');" target="_blank">kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b>
Re: [Kzyxtalk] from the AVA's "Mendocino County Today", May 22,
2014<br></font><br></div>
<div></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:#000000">
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></div>
<div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR:rgb(255,255,255)">
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="FONT-SIZE:12pt">It would seem obvious KZYX is now trying to develop a
policy designed to kick dissidents off the air...a list of forbidden off-air
conduct or behaviours that would result in the cancellation of shows and the
revocation of broadcasting privileges for the "guilty" broadcaster.</span></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial">What conduct, I wonder? </font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="FONT-SIZE:12pt">Conviction of a felony crime? Imprisonment? I can
completely understand being kicked off the air for serious criminal behavior.
But KZYX isn't talking about that.</span></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="FONT-SIZE:12pt"><br></span></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)">So, what
other conduct gets a broadcaster in trouble, I wonder?</div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial"><font size="3">Criticism of station management? Is that
enough to get a broadcaster </font>kicked<font size="3"> off the
air?</font></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial">How about other criticism? Criticism of the Board? Criticism of
station policy? Criticism of another broadcaster? </font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial">Hmm.</font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)">What other
conduct? Where does the slippery slope end?</div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial">How about getting kicked off the air for holding controversial
opinions? Holding certain political beliefs? Belonging to certain religions?
Belonging to certain organizations deemed subversive by KZYX station management?
Perhaps even making certain lifestyle choices unacceptable to station
management? </font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial">Sounds like McCarthyism all over again.</font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial">Any policy in this area would almost almost certainly be actionable
in court. A policy mandating or regulating off-air conduct would immediately
have KZYX defending itself against claims of reprisals, double standards, and
discrimination. </font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial">If anyone thinks KZYX's legal bills for the renewal of the FCC
licenses are too high now, I shudder to think what defending against such claims
in court would cost in the future. Station management would bankrupt the
station by trying to mandate or regulate off-air behavior. Almost certainly,
none of the above claims would be dismissed by a judge. The opportunity for
making case law in a constitutional challenge at publicly funded radio station,
like KZYX, would far too compelling. A judge's career is determined by published
case law.</font></div>
<div style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div><font style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)" face="Arial">Also, if anyone thinks the objections to the renewal of KZYX's two
FCC licenses drew a spark of national attention, then creating a</font><span style="FONT-SIZE:12pt;FONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:rgb(0,0,0)"> policy for
required off-air conduct</span><font size="3" face="Arial"> would almost
certainly create a firestorm of controversy. I don't think many other public
media stations would support an attempt by KZYX to mandate or regulate off-air
behavior. </font></div>
<div><font size="3" face="Arial"><br></font></div>
<div><font size="3" face="Arial">Tal</font></div></div></div></div><hr size="1" noshade>
<a></a>
<p align="left" color="#000000">No virus found in this
message.<br>Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com" target="_blank">www.avg.com</a><br>Version: 2014.0.4577 / Virus
Database: 3950/7513 - Release Date: 05/17/14</p></div>
</blockquote></div>