Pledge Don't Give to Save Women's Programming on KPFA

In January, KPFA management told the producers of Women's Magazine, which has aired three times a month since 2005, that the show was being preempted for four months. The preemption was to make time for a show on the first 100 days of the Obama administration. KPFA is the oldest "progressive" radio station in the country, having just celebrated its 60th birthday.

After a flood of letters and phone calls protesting the suspension of women's programming, management assured the producers and listeners that the show would be back on the air on May 4.

At 12:30, half an hour before air time, producers and the guest who was waiting in studio to do a live broadcast found out that the show was being preempted again! While management claimed that this was a "mistake," they also informed producers that the show is being evaluated to determine whether it will stay on air. No other show is being subjected to this evaluation process. Part of the reason for this fiasco is that the Program Council, a body composed of listeners and staff, which is supposed to have input into programming decisions, was disbanded by the Interim Program Manager last year.

There's a good chance Women's Magazine will not return to KPFA's airwaves, leaving the station with no regular programming dedicated to women's and gender issues. How is this progressive?

KPFA is currently in fund drive, which is the time when listeners can really make their voices heard. Call any time during the fund drive (probably until at least May 21) and make a pledge but do not pay it yet. Tell the person who takes your pledge that you will pay it when Women's Magazine is back on the air and the Program Council is reinstated. If WM and the Program Council have not been reinstated when you get the bill in the mail, write on it that you are waiting until they are and send it back.

Email kpfawomensmag@gmail.com and tell us that you pledged.

Protest at KPFA to Save Women's Magazine and Restore the Program Council
Thursday, May 21, 5:00 p.m.
at the studios of KPFA, 1929 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Berkeley.

Visit our blog and join our Facebook group, Save KPFA Women's Magazine, to stay up with all the news.