Ignoring Haiti

Dear Comrades,

Over the past several months I have attempted to present a rational dissection of the hype and hysteria created by Pacifica’s National Board Chairperson, Grace Aaron, WBAI’s Interim Station Manager, LaVarn Williams and Steve “Big Money” Brown, former WBAI Local Station Board member and a small cabal of dishonest local staff members. I’ve been trying to explain what is in fact happening at WBAI and throughout the Pacifica Network. There have been many incidences that support my assertions but none so graphic as the manner in which WBAI is ignoring the tragic crisis in Haiti.

I am a creature of habit so it was not surprising to me that Wednesday morning after I heard  there was a devastating earthquake in Haiti, I found myself turning to WBAI to find out what was really going on. Even though I am no longer with the institution I believed that those who are presently in charge would behave in WBAI's unique, journalistically responsible manner in addressing this crisis. Historically WBAI was the only place to be in times of crisis. However under the new management at WBAI it is obvious that adherence to that tradition is no longer the case. Even corporate networks have been doing more comprehensive coverage on Haiti than WBAI. In the past given an incident of this magnitude previous management would have suspended regular programming and gone into crisis mode. All available resources would have been amassed to get the word out.

This earthquake would be viewed from several perspectives:
1.    This is a teachable moment. We would bring together scholars, activist, historians, cultural workers, journalists, people on the ground in Haiti as well as Haitians in our listening area to provide an on air teach-in.
2.    This is an optimum learning period. Since people are focusing their media eyes and ears on Haiti it provides an ideal opportunity for the absorption of history and information.
3.    This is what Pacifica is all about. Historically the suspension of regular programming was done for Three Mile Island, Iran Contra Hearings, Invasion of Grenada, attack on Panama, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, Invasion of Iraq etc., etc., etc. During our coverage our listenership would increase geometrically. This is the type of broadcast for which awards are given.
4.    An incident like this provided us the opportunity to bring out the best that non-corporate, listener-sponsored radio has to offer. In comparison to corporate media our coverage was more comprehensive and non-corporate which allowed us to get closer to the truth. We could explore every aspect of a given phenomenon and tell exactly what we saw without filtering it through government censors and without regard for corporate sensitivities.
5.    We owe it to the Haitian people to debunk negative myths about them, their history and their culture. We would have launched a direct attack on the racism and destabilization that has been constantly directed at the Haitian population.
6.    Builds audience. Given our ability to tell the truth and talk directly to the people and have them talk directly back to us we would have become the center of information for this castrophe throughout our listening area. New York has the largest Haitian population outside of Haiti. Sooner or later word would get around about the immediacy, sensitivity and accuracy of our coverage and our listenership would increase.


After finding very little coverage on WBAI on Wednesday I tuned in again on Thursday January, 14th, mid-morning. I was dismayed once again when I heard the imposed California producer, Terrance McNally having an energetic discussion about “Hooked on Phonics.” I kid you not.

As I have been saying over the past several months, this is precisely what the new management is all about. They have no connection nor do they want a connection with certain communities particularly communities of color. I applaud the producers who independently have made attempts to get information out about what is happening in Haiti. However I don’t expect the producers at WBAI, in any significant way, to locate the courage to stand up and challenge the negative policies of the new management. They have proven that preserving their personal air space is more important than the theft of WBAI and Pacifica. It is up to the listeners to challenge these interlopers who are violating all of the established rules of governance and redirecting Pacifica away from the poor the marginalized and peoples of color. WBAI has missed a perfect opportunity to build audience, increase future revenue and tell the story of a people. But then again, this isn't the audience they are looking for.

If we pay close attention to what’s going on listeners can take back control of the station from the new renegade majority. Their policies and lack of sensitivity will eventually destroy Pacifica and WBAI.


Written: January 18, 2010




Bernard White, Former WBAI Program Director
www.takebackwbai.org, www.wbaix.org,   www.wbix.org