The cleansing of Pacifica station, WBAI 99.5fm, in
New York City, continues unabated with another
long-term producer being banned and terminated…
This action comes on the heels of a letter he sent
to Pacifica’s National Board members detailing
the destruction of WBAI under the leadership of
Utrice Leid and his frustration with attempts to
act professionally in what he considered to be an
increasingly hostile atmosphere.
The cleansing of Pacifica station, WBAI 99.5fm, in
New York City, continues unabated with another
long-term producer being banned and terminated.
New station manager, Robert Daughtry, after
consultation with former station manager Utrice
Leid, has officially terminated award winning
producer, Dred Scott Keyes from his position as
WBAI;s production engineer. It appears that Robert
Daughtry has become the new hatchet man for Utrice
Leid who is still calling the shots at WBAI.
Today, October 22, 2001, upon Dred’s return from a
two-week vacation, he was handed a termination
notice that was effective immediately and told
that if he attempted to re-enter the premises he
would be considered a trespasser.
He was also told that arrangements would be made
so that he could retrieve his belongings. If the
treatment of the other banned and fired producers
is an example of how he will be treated, Dred may
never see his possessions again.
According to Dred, Sidney Smith the Operations
Director and his direct supervisor authorized his
vacation. However, his letter of termination cited
that he had taken an unauthorized vacation.
Dred was also charged with insubordination.
This action comes on the heels of a letter he sent
to Pacifica’s National Board members detailing
the destruction of WBAI under the leadership of
Utrice Leid and his frustration with attempts to
act professionally in what he considered to be an
increasingly hostile atmosphere.
His memo detailed a verbal attack by Djabel Faye
during which time Djabel called him a nigger, has
not yet been responded to.
Dred has been associated with WBAI for over 19
years. Some of the awards he has won include:
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF COMMUNITY BROADCASTERS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS
POLK AWARD
[ also see related items:
Coming This Fall … More Media Deregulation
– http://www.theexperiment.org/articles.php?news_id=1546
Author: Bernard White
News Service: Pacifica Accountability Committee