HCPR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 loosened the controls on media ownership and resulted in a new concentration of broadcast and print media in a few rich and powerful hands. One of the spoils of this concentrated ownership is control over editorial policies. Management of these new media giants is under tremendous pressure to make editorial decisions based on economic or public relations considerations. Thereby, they select, edit, and tailor news, information, and artistic programs to meet their economic and political goals. These recent developments are to the detriment of individual citizens who make up the society at large which requires balanced and unbiased information to make informed, prudent, and ethical personal and political choices.

Similar tensions have existed for many years in the media. It is for this reason that Lew Hill and a group of pacifists created Pacifica in the 1940s. The original mission of the Pacifica Foundation has been to promote cultural diversity and pluralistic community expression, contribute to an understanding between individuals of all nations, races, creeds, and colors, promote freedom of the press and serve as a forum for diverse viewpoints, and maintain an independent funding base. Historically, the foundation has prided itself in its independence and an unconventional use of the media. Of late, the Pacifica Foundation and its local station KPFT, have diverged broadly from its original mission and purpose.

This divergence has brought forth a significant change on both local and national levels that reflects the current media zeitgeist. On a local level, KPFT has no local news and minimal minority programming. KPFT has few forums for constructive dialogue and debate on many of the issues which impact ordinary Houstonians. The community interests and diversity are de-emphasized in favor of an adult alternative album (AAA) music format which appeals to a select sector of the population with the financial means to donate generously. Arbitron ratings and the outcome of pledge drives pilot this strategy and KPFT management proffers this data as evidence that the station is living up to its mission.

On a national level, the Pacifica board has elected to reshape itself into a self appointing body that conducts much of its business in secret. It has discussed the sale of its stations, engaged in draconian tactics to suppress any dissent and colluded with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

We in Houston have been very lucky to have KPFT. It is a resource with great potential. This potential lies within the very principles that guided the founding of Pacifica. We could have a democratic forum enlivened by information exchange as well as honest and respectful debate. We could have a voice for all racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups. We could have a venue through which the diversity of music, poetry, and other artistic media could find expression.

We the Houston Committee for People's Radio believe that community radio as personified by the Pacifica Network and KPFT or any other avenue could be all of these things. We also believe that Houston needs an alternative media source to provide news and views not ordinarily broadcast through mainstream outlets. We also believe that Houston needs a forum that fosters the work of bringing peace, justice, empowerment, and harmony between all peoples of the Houston community.

Given the above precepts, the following are the principles and mission of HCPR:

1. We strive toward a building a community radio model in which these stations are managed through the use of democratic process by community members, are accountable to the community, and include;

· Comprehensive local news.
· Public affairs and cultural programming of interest to all members of the community including minority groups.
· Programming which serves as a voice for the progressive community.
· Fostering of participation in community radio through regularly scheduled training programs.
· The promotion non-violence though its programs.
· Programming that seeks justice and tolerance for all persons regardless of economic class, racial and ethnic group, faith belief, and sexual orientation.
· Programming that fosters dialogue between groups and is aimed at bringing mutual understanding between people.

2. We work toward forcing Pacifica and its local station, KPFT, to adhere to their articles of incorporation/original statements of purpose so that these are clearly expressed though;
a) program offerings,
b) a management style characterized by the use of democratic process and direct accountability of all board members and management to listener sponsors, and
c) a commitment to the grassroots community within this signal area.

3. We work with other organizations within the community to explore ways to use low power radio to meet the need within the Houston area for radio that provides a voice for the community and adheres to the principles stated in number one above.

4. We strive to model this democratic and progressive style of governance through our own bylaws, activities, and decision making processes.