The Pacifica Foundation is a pioneer in listener-supported broadcasting in the United States. It is a non-profit, non-endowed foundation which operates five FM radio stations. Station programming, often expressive of minority opinions and interests, is designed as an alternative to commercial broadcasting.
The Pacifica Foundation was created in August 1946, by Lewis Hill, a former news editor for a Washington, D.C., radio station, and several of his friends in the San Francisco Bay area of California. The first of the Pacifica stations, KPFA, Berkeley, California, began operations in April 1949. It was followed by four others: KPFK, Los Angeles, California, 1959; WBAI, New York City, 1960; KPFT, Houston, Texas, 1970, and WPFW, Washington, D.C., 1977. All of the Pacifica stations are known for a distinctive variety of programming, much of it “live”: poetry reading, book reviews, government hearings, lectures, concerts and popular music. They also have special programs which provide a forum for minority and/or unpopular groups such as homosexuals, the Communist Party, U.S.A., and the John Birch Society. KPFA programs are also carried by KPFB, Berkeley, and KFCF, Fresno, California, as well as other affiliate stations.
Pacifica programs have won broadcasting awards as well as stirred controversy and criticism. The awards include the George Foster Peabody Award (KPFA, 1957, and KPFK, 1961), Sigma Delta Chi Radio Newswriting Award (KPFK, 1960), Prix Italia (WBAI, 1963), and a number of Armstrong Awards. Criticism of station operations led to a 1963 United States Senate Internal Security Subcommittee investigation of charges of Communist infiltration of Pacifica and a Federal Communications Commission investigation, 1963-1964, on the same issue as well as that of obscenity. Also, the stations have been subject to charges of bias from individuals and groups at both ends of the political spectrum. KPFT, Houston, was bombed twice during its first year of operation (1970) and numerous attempts were made to block the establishment of WPFW, Washington, D.C. Pacifica was also identified with the anti-Vietnam War movement (Pacifica had its own correspondent in Vietnam) and domestic underground political groups; the stations acted as conduits for information and demands by such groups as the Weathermen and the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Though Pacifica stations have developed a large and loyal audience, they have experienced frequent financial difficulties. KPFA had to leave the air for nine months, August 1950 to May 1951, to raise funds for continued operation. Nevertheless, the stations have been able to maintain fairly continuous broadcasting despite deficiencies attendant upon poor financing, e.g., lack of adequate full-time staffs (many volunteers are used), and a paucity of equipment and operating space. Although dependent upon listener support, the stations have received other forms of aid. In 1951, for instance, KPFA was awarded a three year Ford Foundation grant for adult education. Sales of program tapes, begun circa 1966, provide another form of income, albeit modest. Still, the listeners provide the major portion of station operating budgets; the stations even rely upon special marathon events and benefits to attract additional listener support when funds fall short of operating expenses. For the most part, this reliance on the financial support of the listening audience has resulted in station involvement in community issues as well as community participation in station programming. On the national level, the Pacifica Foundation has assured its stations and listeners a voice in the development of broadcasting policy through membership on the National Board and the Administrative Council.
