Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Uphill battle for KABF
Posted by Gerard Matthews on Wed, Aug 4, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Judging by last night's emergency board meeting, KABF has a long way to go before the public radio station can dig its way out of financial dire straits. The meeting was called by board president Lucho Reyes to address requirements being forced on the station by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting so that KABF can continue to receive funding. The CPB is auditing KABF and has asked the station to expand its board membership and create a community advisory board to serve as an extra set of checks and balances. Much was discussed - including outstanding loan and rent payments, the station's budget and how new board members should be elected - but little was accomplished. Board members couldn't seem to agree on anything and most agenda items were deferred to the next regular meeting. The station has the funding to continue operations in the short term, but more hurdles are likely to present themselves once the audit is complete.
Comments (6)
Showing 1-6 of 6
I left early from the board meeting becasue I could see how dysfunctional things were going to be. The station has been running on a shoestring for decades. The staff are underpaid, the board and all the DJs are volunteers, the air conditioning doesn't work, the equipment is often broken and old. But KABF is a jewel in the midst of corporate media noise. It would be a real shame to lose a radio station that has the potential for empowering those seeking social justice, diverstiy, self expression, and sharing music you'll never hear on corporate profit radio. Note that no one in Little Rock is accused of stealing money, just being irresponsible. The real culprits are those accountants that ACORN in New Orleans contracted with to offer financial services to the radio station. If the Corporation for Public Broadcasting gives us another chance the community will have to step up and help keep this jewel alive. Paul Kelly, Host of KABF's World Tour
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GOOD stuff, Paul. I too am a recent DJ alum - 6+ years on Blues House Party. The (ACORN) majority on the board are useless toadies who would rather the station go down than "dilute" their power. If they aren't supplanted, and QUICKLY, the station is toast.
The volunteers at KABF and the community at large need to seriously ask why ACORN, a deservedly extinct organization, still has a death grip on this so-called community radio station.
I finally dug out a working FM radio, and just tuned in to "The Plague". They're playing Roxy Music's "A Really Good Time". Great song, never heard on any other station around here, with the possible exception of Beaker Street. Long live KABF.
Board members with ACORN ties need to step down - that is it. There is no other choice. They have no interest in broadcasting and no place there. With this obvious conflict of interest, the public will never get what they deserve: a completely transparent organization. It is sad and pathetic that this has not already happened... just pathetic.
i am willing to turn the station around and make it generate cash needed to operate - i am presently on public radio with over 28 years in the business - see me at: arkansasred.mysite.com and youtube.com/bishoparkansasred
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