Last
Monday 9/14 John Proffitt returned to work as the Executive Director of Pacific
Radio after three weeks of vacation. He resigned with an email:
When
I say that Proffitt is today’s Smartest
Man in Public Media, I mean he saw Pacifica as it really, really is: the
most toxic noncom in the nation. He
wisely didn’t want any part of that.
 |
| JOHN PROFFITT |
I
had expected this to happen but not so quickly.
Proffitt stayed four months. We
covered it when he got the job in April [link].
In that column I discussed the deeply litigious and uber politically
charged environment he was entering. I
recommended he retain legal counsel because may need it. Proffitt is a solid manager who excels in
reading the tealeaves.
SPECULATION ABOUT THE
REASONS
Like
all things Pacifica, bloggers are making the news of Proffit’s departure a big
deal. Some are cheering that he is gone
and celebrating a turf war victory.
However, one
Pacific blogger told what is most likely the truth:
[Pacifica] lost a businessman
who seemed to be able to stay calm, speak clearly, observe the fracas and still
remain standing, and maybe even briefly offer his help. Some thought it
was not needed.
Did anyone insist he stay to do
the work actually needed at Pacifica? Or
just lead him to the door because he did not fit in with those already 'in' who
aspire to more power?
He just realized he had stepped deep into a vile snake pit.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Pacifica:
please get out of the radio business.
You are an embarrassment to all of us who work in public media.
Your
esteemed history was a long time ago.
Now it is time for you to go. New
people with new ideas are needed in this space.
Cash
in the licenses now. There will certainly be enough money to settle all the debts. It is time for Pacifica to
Do the Right Thing. End the circus and
let someone else truly serve the public interest.
Ken
Mills.
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