• Audio Statement: Download or Stream to Media Player (mp3 format)
• Nomination Statement
• Candidate Questionnaire

I am Vida Samiian, a KPFA and KFCF listener in Fresno and a supporter of listener sponsored public media. I submit my candidacy because I feel that, in the current political climate, the role and responsibility of public, listener-sponsored media has gained a new level of significance and urgency in safeguarding public access to accurate and objective news and information. Public media has the capacity to represent those communities that are generally not represented in the mainstream media and to provide access to news, perspectives and analyses that are not available on the corporate controlled networks. The governing board in turn has the duty and responsibility to preserve and maintain the organization's mission and help it improve while safeguarding accuracy and availability of alternative news and perspectives.

I have been a Professor of Linguistics at California State University, Fresno, since 1984, and currently serve as an academic dean. Over the last five years, as a university faculty and administrator, I have observed an increasing attack on academic freedom and civil liberties on university campuses. And I have tried to play a role in advocating and safeguarding freedom of speech and academic freedom on our campus and in the Central Valley community. Following 9/11 a group of students and faculty on campus formed a Campus Peace and Civil Liberties Coalition. I served as faculty advisor to that organization, which developed a series of Middle East forums, bringing alternative perspectives and speakers to our community. The subsequent controversy surrounding the Middle East Forums resulted in raising awareness among a large number of people who attended the lectures and supported the right for expression of perspectives not heard on the mainstream media. I was extremely honored when the Fresno Free College awarded me with the Freedom of Speech award at the 2004 Annual KFCF banquet.

A first generation immigrant, I consider the diversity of California and the Central Valley a particular source of strength and opportunity. The immigrant experience tends to marginalize this population from mainstream social networks. The role of public media is of particular significance in voicing the needs and aspirations of this underrepresented community. Having lived in the Central Valley for 22 years, I am also acutely aware of the socio-economic disparity that pervades this region. This has taken me to work with nonprofit organizations that advocate for social and economic justice. I served three terms on the governing board of Fresno Metro Ministry, a social justice advocacy group, and was elected board president for two terms. I currently serve on the board of directors of the Fresno Art Museum.

In addition to my experience as an educator and social activist, I can bring to the KPFA Board my fundraising experience. I was the recipient of two major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, one entitled "Fresno Conversations in American Pluralism and Identity" in 1995 and the second "Crossing Academic Borders" in 2000.

1. Why do you want to be on the Board?

a. I believe in the mission and vision of KPFA and feel that listener-sponsored public media is an essential component of a democratic civil society.

b. I feel I can offer some skills and valuable experiences as an educator, administrator and social activist to the KPFA Board.

2. How do you envision the Local Station Board working with the Pacifica Foundation, KPFA and the community?

It is important to understand how the relationship between the local station board and the Pacifica Foundation is delineated in the bylaws. The community is an important stakeholder in the operation and success of any public media network. It is essential that the station develop mechanisms to engage the community in its strategic planning and assessment. This can be done through focus groups and other interactive means.

3. How could the station better serve its listeners?

By engaging the listeners in the life and strategic planning of the station. By understanding what it is that the listeners hope to obtain. By remaining true to the principles of accuracy, access, and independence of public media.

4. Describe some actions you would take to increase the influence of the station in underrepresented communities and to increase the diversity of the listening audience?

Programming and marketing are the key instruments. It is important to offer programs that address the needs and aspirations of these communities. It is also important to make these communities aware of the existence of KPFA. Marketing approaches need to be creative and specific to these populations.

5. What source of funding, other than listener donations, do you feel KPFA should solicit?

KPFA can solicit grants from foundations that support listener sponsored media. However, it is important to insure that these funds have no strings attached. It is also possible to engage in a comprehensive fundraising campaign to build endowments that can sustain the station at perpetuity. This can be done through a sustained multiyear pledge or planned giving by listeners who have the capacity to support the station.

6. Please state briefly the skills, experience, education background, work history, organizational affiliations, areas of community service, areas of interest and expertise that you would bring to the Pacifica network as a member of the Local Station Board.

I hold a Ph.D. in Linguistics from UCLA and have been a professor and dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State. I also served as department chair for three years and as associate dean of the college for ten years. I have many years of experience as a community activist for social justice and human rights. I have also worked with a number of non-profit organizations, in many instances as an officer, executive committee member, or a board member. Currently, I serve on the board of Fresno Art Museum, The University High School, The Renaissance Group (a national organization of thirty universities committed to teacher education), FCASH (Fresno Coalition for Art, Science, and History). I also served three terms on the board of directors of Fresno Metro Ministry.

7. Do you anticipate missing any Local station board meetings due to family or job related problems or inadequate transportation?

I expect fulfilling my commitments as a board member.

8. On which Local station Board committees are you interested in actively serving?

I could serve on a number of committees depending on what the needs are and where my skills could be used more appropriately. I have worked with large organizational budgets and thus could serve on the budget/finance committee. I could also help with outreach or programming.