AMY GOODMAN
Berkeley Report

Gary Evans

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(537 Words)

Amy Goodman, under attack by an illegally constituted Pacifica Board and specifically under personal attack by National Program Director, Steve Yasco, completed her broadcast of Democracy Now! in New York Friday morning, boarded a jet, and appeared Friday night at a fundraising event for KPFA in Berkeley. Amy came straight from the airport and a very long day to be met with a loud standing ovation and comments by many that she's probably the most talented journalist in the US today.

After a ninety minute wide ranging off-the-cuff talk regarding the history, and importance of Democracy Now!, as well as thoughts about the future of media reporting via the Internet, radio and satellite transmission, etc. Amy settled into answering questions for an additional hour.

Several audience members expressed their outrage that Program Director Steve Yasco had arrogantly instructed Amy to obtain permission from Pacifica management before speaking in any public forum! Amy verified that she was so informed, and that she did notify Pacifica management that she was going to speak in Berkeley (implying that permission was not sought).

Foundation management informed Jim Bennett, KPFA Interim Manager, that they would not pick-up the tab for Amy's visit, and Amy good-naturedly informed Jim that he needn't worry - she ate on the plane. On a more serious note she verified that she has filed a formal grievance, charging harassment, gender harassment, and censorship following extremely harsh and inappropriate treatment. [Many, including myself, witnessed Amy being loudly and brutally brow-beaten by an angry Steve Yasco in an Arlington, Virginia hotel corridor one day before the full board last met.]

Several people suggested to Amy that she should not allow herself to be abused by Pacifica management, suggesting instead that she refuse to "go along." Amy responded: "There is a tremendous struggle within Pacifica and I'm not going to give up on it. It's very easy to stand up and walk away from it, but what does that say to the fifty-one years and the thousands of people who have worked to preserve this sacred public space?"

Regarding work rules just imposed on her last week: "This is about an attempt to overall exert political control. Those work rules are simply making it impossible to do the job. They’re completely ridiculous. They are unconstitutional. When you read things that say I am not allowed to do this, or I'm not allowed to do that, that is not true. It is made very clear to me what management doesn't like, but that does not effect what goes on the show. It's just clear political pressure. The question is are they now going to take the next step and terminate me for what they don't like?

"It is a very dire situation right now because the whole direction of the program is being determined right now. Two producers are being chosen. The level of abuse from management is very high - it has intensified. Don't think it’s a coincidence it's coming in an election year, in a very close election, and there is no place for it - for an independent national news-magazine. They’ve just got to back off."

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