Rufina Juarez Candidate Statement

But wars without end like the undeclared ‘war on terror’ have to be marketed and that is the role that the corporate media has taken. The propagandistic role of Judith Miller and Fox ‘News’ is well documented, but they were not alone in beating the drums of war against the people of Iraq. The entire mélange of corporatereporters and pundits marched lock-step with Miller. They created an atmosphere of war and fear and thus prepared the nation for the illegal invasion and occupation of both Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is the challenge facing Pacifica and KPFK. Peoples media has to provide its listeners with the necessary information to make critical and informed decisions, but it should also serve as a tool for turning knowledge into action.

My background as a public administrator and a leader of the South Central Farmers highlighted for me the need to link peoples radio with local peoples struggles. Effective radio coverage could mean the difference between growing the peoples movement or retarding it.

I am convinced that as the system scapegoats and steps up the repression of millions of people, their resistance increases proportionately. We witnessed in LA the unprecedented taking to the streets by two million people, two years ago on Mayday to fight against the oppression of displaced people (immigrants). This marvelous display of participatory democracy signaled the inclusion of a huge segment of the oppressed people of LA in the struggle for justice and democracy.

Displaced by unjust treaties like NAFTA, the theft of natural resources or imperialist wars, millions of people reside within the area covered by KPFK. Many of them speak Spanish only. The station must increase its listenership among them and all the other people of Southern California. It must serve as a voice to help them organize to defend their human rights. It must serve as a conduit linking their struggle to the overall fight against militarism, endless war, racism, corporatism and the dumbing down of society that the corporate media has so willingly accepted as its main task.

KPFK should rely heavily on the efforts of volunteers to run the station. It should serve as a training ground for radio journalists and activists and create programs to incorporate more high school and college students in its ranks. We must prepare the next generation of peoples journalists and leaders while increasing our listenership. KPFK must become the station of choice in Southern California.

We must ensure that those programs that exist now incorporate the method of criticism and self-criticism in order to constantly improve in quality and professionalism. We must not squander the precious airwaves and must increase listenership. KPFK must become the voice of all the people of Southern California and not just the left wing of one of the war parties.