WBAI Censors Program on the Anti-Arab Backlash
On Friday September 21 2001, WBAI/NYC was to broadcast a special edition of its regular program Asian Pacifica Forum (APF) on the topic "WTC and the Racist Backlash". The goal of the show was to engage a broad cross section of people who have been grappling with this monster of a racist backlash. Guests would have included representatives of communities that have come under attack, groups involved with immigrants' rights and legal groups documenting and opposing these attacks and groups organizing to prevent more such incidents. Guests lined up included Sin Yen Ling, staff attorney at AALDEF (Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund), Naseer Gondal, NY chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, Annetta Seecharran of SAYA (South Asian Youth Action), and New York Immigration Coalition, from the NY-TWA (New York Taxi Workers' Alliance) and from INSAF-NY (International South Asia Forum)
But just prior to airing, the program was canceled by former WBAI interim general manager Utrice Leid at 11AM the morning of the show- with no reasons given. The authority of Ms Leid to do this is unclear given that she was no longer the manager of the station. This was the second time APF had been preempted that without explanation. Two days prior, Ms Leid prevented APF from airing unless one of the members of the show, Aniruddha Das, was removed from the show's staff. The Asia Pacific Forum programming collective refused, as a matter of principle, to even consider broadcasting under such a constraint. So WBAI did not air that day but APF was told that they would have the alternate Friday slot that was subsequently cancelled as well.
Aniruddha Das of APF responded to this censorship:
"We find it reprehensible that at this time - with the insistent drumbeat of the war buildup, with the racist anti-immigrant backlash in this country - that WBAI, the premier radio station that was founded on the principles of anti-war and anti-bigotry should cancel shows that speak for precisely the affected communities. Shows that discuss these issues of war hysteria and bigotry and that try to get information out to the affected communities, that try to provide critical legal and immigration advice to the communities under attack.
"We at Asia Pacific Forum have tried consistently to continue the traditions of critical analysis and programming consonant with the founding principles of Pacifica. Our programs have dealt primarily with issues of importance to the broad Asian Pacific community (such as the issues we were going to cover this afternoon). With the ongoing crisis at Pacifica we have also had informational bulletins or program segments providing an analysis and critique of the anti-progressive and adrift-at-sea Pacifica policies. The treatment of our program this week stands out as yet another egregious example of the pettiness, closed-mindedness and the opposition to progressive politics that characterizes the current management at Pacifica. It is sad to see Pacifica and WBAI - which could be playing such an important role in the current crisis - paint itself so proudly into the corner of irrelevance when its critical voice is most needed."
We couldn't agree more. Pacifica's management, both at KPFT/Houston and WBAI/NYC, has crossed the line into hostile and abusive conduct and overt censorship. Instead of contributing to the healing of our nation, current Pacifica management is now contributing to the atmosphere of polarization and danger.
Return to Houston Radio Report homepage
Visit the dissenters' kpftradio webpages
Email Houston Radio Report