IAN MASTERS asked listeners to stop donating to KPFK in 2021

IAN MASTERS asked listeners to stop donating to KPFK in 2021.

Now his show, "Background Briefing," is broadcast 9 hours a week on KPFA.

During the current (2024)KPFA Local Station Board (LSB) election, "Protector" candidate Fred Dodsworth accused Rescue Pacifica of telling listeners to not donate to KPFA. Not true, that was a lie. However, one of the programmers in the Protectors' camp, Ian Masters, did exactly that in July 2021.
(Ian Masters now has 9 hours a week at KPFA.)

In July 2021 Ian Masters, show host of Background Briefing (then at KPFK) wrongfully used KPFK's airwaves to complain about the results of a Pacifica bylaws referendum. For such misuse of his broadcast time, he could be fired, and if that were to happen, he urged listeners to "stop their donations."

Below are transcripts of Ian Masters attacking Pacifica between July 15 and July 22, 2021. These screeds are mostly about 300 words each,. On some days he aired 2 or even 3 of these attack segments during his broadcast.

As to Ian Masters' oft-repeated claim (below) that the bylaws referendum failed because “listeners voted for it” and only “some” staff members voted against and killed it, here is another view:


1 Pacifica bylaws call for listeners AND STAFF MEMBERS to vote on any bylaws change. When it suits them, select staff members around here go as far as to sabotage managers under the guise of something like a “workers' co-op.” What they never tell you is that about 4/5 of the work at KPFA is done by unpaid staff members who are not invited to nor desired at station meetings (unless they agree to the precepts of a small group of defacto longtime controllers, in which case they are given prized fill-in gigs and extensive promotion and training. But because a portion of staff members nationally voted against this extreme bylaws change, which might well have assigned their station to the dustheap of history, they voted against the change.

2 Issues were in no way explained to listeners in a neutral way with two (or more) sides expressed. The side that is supported by moneyed interests poured their considerable resources into plying listeners with one side of the issue.

3 Time for listeners to try to understand what would be a massive change was short.

4 Listeners have been actively discouraged from understanding how their network is actually run for many years – discouraged by the very same people calling for and paying for notice of this bylaws change proposal. They have their reasons, but they are not being honest with listeners. Some of us believe that an independent media requires an informed listenership – and informed by more than one side sounding convincing, imparting much truth perhaps with some very poison pills.


These transcripts are machine generated, with some mistakes and some lines are scrambled. But the message is clear, and repeated. The actual call to withhold funds starts with the July 20th screeds below.


Daniel Borgström
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THESE ARE TRANSCRIPTS FROM IAN MASTERS BROADCASTS AT KPFK:

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July 15, 2021

filename: kpfk_210715_170000bbriefing.mp3

And before we begin, the results of the Pacific and bylaws referendum are in and what appears to be a clear victory for the yes side who were advocating reform is in dispute because the no side the status quo, are claiming they won, like Trump's victory in 2016. The no side are claiming victory because they weren't on a technicality. Not unlike the Electoral College, when Hillary Clinton won by 3 million popular votes, but some are lost. And while the electoral college anomaly is in the Constitution, no such justification apparently exists for the no side who are claiming victory based on the technicality that both staff and listener votes did not gain a majority. Something the yes side say they did not agree to so litigation will surely follow. Among listeners, the real owners of Pacifica, the yes vote was 6640. And the no vote was 5216. But among the staff, the no vote was 255. And the yes was 180. In other words, yes, one by 1424 votes, but lost by 75 votes. This means for the moment, the current bylaws and regime stay in place. Go figure.

AGAIN, IN THE SAME BROADCAST

And again, the results of the Pacific bylaws referendum are in and what appears to be a clear victory for the yes side who were advocating reform is in dispute because the no side the status quo, are claiming they won, like Trump's victory in 2016. The no side of claiming victory because they weren't on a technicality. Not unlike the Electoral College, when Hillary Clinton won by 3 million popular votes, but some are lost. And while the electoral college anomaly is in the Constitution, no such justification apparently exists for the no side who are claiming victory based on the technicality that both staff and listener votes did not gain a majority, something the side say they did not agree to. So litigation will surely follow. Among listeners, the real owners of Pacifica, the yes vote was 6640. And the no vote was 5216. But among the staff, the no vote was 255. And the s was 180. In other words, yes, one by 1424 votes, but lost by 75 votes. This means for the moment, the current bylaws and regime stay in place. Go figure.

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July 18, 2021

kpfk_210718 Background Briefing TRANSCRIPT

And before we begin, the results of the Pacific bylaws referendum show a decisive victory for the side who were advocating reform. But just like Donald Trump, the incumbent no side representing the status quo, are claiming they want a victory they clearly lost among listeners, the real owners of Pacifica, the yes vote was 6640 and the no vote was 5216. But among the staff the no vote was 255 and yes was 180. Although the current bylaws do not say the staff vote can overrule the overall vote. The no side are claiming victory based on 75 votes, even though the yes side one by 1424 votes. Now this illegitimate regime is furiously trying to rush through new board elections. And the head of the no campaign Pacific as Interim Executive Director, who claims to be a volunteer just awarded herself a $80,000 a year contract and appointed a new General Manager for KPFK from the Spanish language collective. Given that the current leadership in Pacifica who ran on a platform of saving democracy, but are now ignoring the results of a democratic election, the 6640 majority of members who voted for reform appear to have no other recourse but to write to the charities division of the Office of California's Attorney General, in demand that a California foundation with a storied history in this state has been hijacked and must be returned to its rightful owners.

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July 19, 2021

filename: kpfk_210719_170000bbriefing.mp3

And before we begin, the results of the Pacific bylaws referendum show a decisive victory for the yes side who were advocating reform. But just like Donald Trump, the incumbent no side representing the status quo, are claiming they won an election they clearly lost among listeners, the real owners of Pacifica, the yes vote was 6640 and the no vote was 5216. But among the staff the no vote was 255 and yes was 180. Although the current bylaws do not say the staff vote can overrule the overall vote. The no side are claiming victory based on 75 votes, even though the yes side one by 1424 votes. Now this the legitimate regime is furiously trying to rush through new board elections, and the head of the no campaign Pacific as Interim Executive Director, who claims to be a volunteer just awarded herself a generous salary, and appointed the new General Manager for KPFK from the Spanish language collective. Given that the current leadership of Pacifica who ran on a platform of saving democracy, but are now ignoring the results of a democratic election, the 6640 majority of members who voted for reform appear to have no other recourse but to write to the charities division of the Office of California Attorney General and demand that a California foundation with a storied history in this state has been hijacked and must be returned to its rightful owners.

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July 20, 2021

filename: kpfk_210720_170000bbriefing.mp3

And before we begin, today is the first day of our latest fund drive. But we are raising funds for a completely illegitimate regime who just lost a referendum by a vote of 6642 5216. Yet, they are claiming victory. So there is no way in in good conscience, one can support this illegitimate regime who clinging on to power and the status quo, which has brought Pacifica to the brink of bankruptcy after 20 plus years of a dysfunctional, electoral system that 90% of our listeners do not participate in yet. These people who are clinging to power, the only power and authority that they've ever had claim that they are defending Pacific as democracy. Yet, when we have a democratic vote, as we did recently with this referendum on the bylaws, they pretend it didn't happen just like Donald Trump. They are, in effect, stealing the election and had Donald Trump succeeded in the last election. The public would be outraged. And, frankly, the 6640 members of Pacifica who voted whose votes are now being trampled on by these illegitimate incumbents are victims of this disgusting insult. So since Roy of Hollywood, who along with me they want to fire came up with this solution of encouraging people to become members of KPFK. So that they can give monthly donations, but if and when they see legitimate regime decides to fire me and Roy and others, donors will be able to suspend their donations or if indeed, as should happen, this illegitimate regime should be run out of town by lawsuits, or by the charities division of the Attorney General the state of California. If this does not happen, then listeners who supported these bylaw changes will be able to stop their donations. So in the meantime, I encourage people to donate and become monthly sustainers at 8189855735818985 KPFK. This is your best way to fight against these specific Trumpsters who have stood On the election 8189855735818985 KPFK.

AGAIN, IN THE SAME BROADCAST

And again, we are in the first day of our fund drive. But we cannot raise funds for an illegitimate regime that just stole the last election, which listeners soundly voted 6644 new bylaws against 5216 for the status quo. So the side that one by 1424 votes is now being told they lost because of 75 votes from the staff. So the selligent regime, of course, is rushing through new board elections, and the head of the no campaign justice, written myself a generous salary and appointed a new General Manager here at KPFK, from the Spanish language collective. So there's no way that you the majority of listeners, who've been stiffed by these Pacifica Trumpsters should be contributing to this illegitimate regime. And the only way around it that I can see is that we raise funds here just like Roy Hollywood, it is where we encourage you to become monthly sustainers. And the moment that Roy and I are fired, and if they see legitimate regime is not removed by the courts or by the charities division of the Attorney General of the state of California, then the donations can stop. But we have to keep funding KPFK. So that's why I encourage you to become members, sustaining members on a monthly basis. And pledge watch, you can. But you also have the ability to protest against those who stole your vote 8189855735818985 KPFK. Now wanted today's program.

AGAIN, THE THIRD TIME IN THE SAME BROADCAST

And again, this is the first day of our new fund drive. And we are of course trapped in a terrible situation where we're expected to raise funds for a completely legitimate regime, who KPFK listeners and supporters and Pacifica listeners and supporters across the country voted in a majority of 6640 to 5216. To have new bylaws and to reform. This system of governance that has over the last 20 plus years is brought Pacifica to the brink of insolvency and has been the source of our dysfunction and division for decades. And every time we have a professional manager, the boards fire them and put themselves in charge. And the person who's put themselves in charge has now just rewarded themselves. who by the way is the head of the no campaign just rewarded herself a generous salary. Meanwhile, she is cutting benefits salaries to the bone. Oh, who was left here at KPFK. They simply can't give up any more. But of course, these people are shameless, and they are holding on to power illegitimately because that's apparently all they have. But you the listeners are being stiffed by these Pacific Trumpsters and your only recourse is to save the station by donating but with the caveat that is on a monthly basis and that you can pull your money out if this illegitimate regime is not removed by the courts or by the charities division of the California Attorney General's Office 818985573502 818985 KPFK And now on to the rest of background briefing.

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July 21, 2021

filename: kpfk_210721_170000bbriefing.mp3

And again, we are in our new fund drive, and we are raising funds for KPFK but not for Pacifica, which is controlled by an illegitimate group of coup leaders who have denied the majority vote in the recent referendum over governance and bylaws. The yes vote was 6640, and the no vote was 5216. And ever since that vote, this illegitimate regime has been rushing through all kinds of efforts to have newborn elections in the head of the no campaign, the Interim Executive Director of Pacifica who claims to be volunteer just warded itself a generous salary, and appointed a new new General Manager for KPFK from the Spanish language collective. And meanwhile, while giving herself a generous salary, she is doing her best in terms of union busting with SAG-AFTRA, after KPFK, has already reduced its staff by 30%. And now, in their zeal to cut severance so that they can fire people. And because I'm on the top of the list, along with Roy of Hollywood and others, Roy of Hollywood came up with a solution to have recurring donations from monthly sustainers. So at the point where it is clear that this illegitimate regime has not been removed, you can stop your payments. In the event that Roy of Hollywood and myself and others have been fired, which of course, is the intention of the legitimate head of Pacifica. So the station's is in desperate need of funds to keep going. And the number to call is 8189855735818985 KPFK, and we have to fight to remove the illegal grip of this illegitimate regime who are ignoring Pacific a democracy the very issue they ran on Pacific democracy, and then they turn around and deny the results of a democratic election.

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July 22, 2021

filename: kpfk_210722_170000bbriefing.mp3

And before we begin, we are in a another fund drive. And we are trying to raise funds for KPFK not for Pacifica, which is controlled by an illegitimate clique who have ignored the results of the recent bylaws elections to reform governance, which has crippled Pacific and taken it to the brink of bankruptcy, and the loss of most of its audience. And we, of course, are trying here to raise funds around this illegitimate regime who hopefully will be removed by the majority, the 6640, who voted for reforms as opposed to the 5206, who voted for the status quo, clear victory, which is being completely ignored. Just like Trump is pretending he won an election he's lost. It is so despicable to think that the Pacific are a sunk to the level of Donald Trump. But those are the facts. And here we are trying to work around this illegitimate regime in order to keep this station going, and to stop the firing of more people and the cutting of all of the benefits which, of course is being done by an Interim Executive director who appointed herself to that role, and has just awarded herself a generous salary. 818-985-5735 is the number to call 818985 KPFK. And we have this fantastic premium that's coming up later in the program.

AGAIN, IN THE SAME BROADCAST

So stay tuned and stay with us here as we try to raise funds here to keep KPFK going in spite of the completely illegitimate regime that runs Pacifica and that ran a campaign to defend the status quo of this dysfunctional government system that's brought Pacifica to the brink of bankruptcy over the last couple of decades, while we've lost most of our audience, and they ran a campaign based on Pacifica democracy. That was their their campaign slogan. And of course, they lost substantially clearly in the set 6640 voted against them as to 5216 voting for them. But now they're behaving like Donald Trump and ignoring the election results and claiming that they want and if they cannot be removed by legal means, they also should be removed by listeners, particularly the 6640 members of Pacifica, they should write to the charities division of the California State Attorney General and demand that the hijacking of Pacifica be overturned and the network and foundation a California foundation is returned to its rightful owners you the Pacific and listeners who voted clearly and substantially to change the bylaws to change the governance. And that is being so cynically and brazenly ignored as these is surpise, push ahead with all kinds of efforts to bring about new board elections and appointing a new General Manager here at KPFK. And of course, as I mentioned earlier, the Interim Executive Director of Pacifica who gave herself the job after she'd fired to at least two really professional, qualified managers is now of course, awarding yourself a general salary. So this is what's happening here at Pacifica, and somehow, rather, we have to support KPFK. And the best way to do it is to donate on a recurring monthly basis, where you give a monthly donation in the event that they use surpise succeed in firing me and Roy and others that they want to get rid of, then you can pull your donations and of course in the event that this illegitimate regime is not removed, and Roy and I and others are fired, you can stop your donations. 8189855735818985 KPFK.