[Pnews] KPFA threatens elimination of Africa Today & Transitions on Traditions

Prisoner News ppnews at freedomarchives.org
Sun Dec 22 14:44:18 EST 2013


*Friends,  these two programs and programmers are consistently two of the best in the Bay Area and are consistent at not only covering Africa but also the diaspora. Walter Turner and Greg Bridges are consistent in their support of political prisoners and defending the community against repression and unrestrained police violence. This is the second time in the recent months that 'scheduling changes' and KPFA management are threatening to eliminate**Africa Today and Transitions on Traditions*.*Our ability to mobilize support made a difference the last time so we are asking for your active support again. It is obvious that Pacifica does not value Black programming when such changes, without discussion, as well as sanctions against other Black programmers at KPFA and other stations continue to be implemented. Now is the time to act!*
*

KPFA Radio/ Possible elimination of Africa Today and Transitions on Traditions*

*Urgent responses needed to*

Richard Pirodsky: Interim General Manager KPFARadio/Richard at kpfa.org
Summer Reese: Executive Director, Pacifica Radio  /summer at pacifica.org

The current proposal for a new KPFA program grid would potentially eliminate two long-standing programs that highlight Africa and the African American Community.  Under the proposal both Africa Today and Transitions on Traditions would be moved to new locations in the program grid where they could no longer be hosted by either Walter Turner or Greg Bridges. The current three-hour program slot that runs from 7-10 is a combination of both African Today and Transitions on Traditions.

Africa Today has been hosted by Walter Turner for more than 20 years and has been in the Monday evening time slot since approximately 1999. Transitions on Transitions have been in the Monday evening 8-10 PM time slot since 1989.   Africa Today is a nationally and internationally respected news magazine that highlights contemporary developments in Africa and throughout the African Diaspora. The program is unique for its blend of news, information, discussion, analysis, music, and community connections.

Transitions on Traditions is hosted by Musicologist Gregg Bridges who produces a regular jazz program on KCSM and is know nationally for his work with Transitions on Traditions and as the host of numerous events in the African American community. Gregg produces segments for HardKnock Radio and has done interviews for media for music artists going back many years.

Africa Today and Transitions on Traditions have produced a number of special programs on Lucky Dube, Ivan Van Sertima, Asa Hillard, the State of Black America, the Criminal Justice System, Haiti,  and the recent program on the  South Africa and Nelson Mandela.

Please write to KPFA Interim General Manager Richard Pirodsky and Pacifica Executive Director Summer Reese and support  Africa Today and Transitions on Traditions on Monday evenings at KPFA Radio.  Emphasize the importance to our local and global community of Africa Today and Transitions on Traditions. Richard Pirodsky  and Summer  Reese can be reached respectively atRichard at kpfa.org  andsummer at pacifica.org.

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