The ongoing acrimonious political factionalism taking place at WBAI, involving the "Justice and Unity" slate [1] and an "Independents" slate [2] ...and just about everyone else- continues as a fresh election to Local Station advisory Board approaches. The LSB is a sort of advisory council in addition to approving the budget for the station, as well as determining a pool of candidates for the General Manager position at the station, among other responsibilities. The JUS currently holds a majority on the board.

The Justice and Unity slate is heavily populated by Marxist-Leninists and Nationalists of various backgrounds (a very racially diverse group), belonging to a slew of organization, several of which are affiliated or tied closely with the International Action Center (Sara Flounders, a JUS candidate, is the co-director of the IAC) and well experienced in the political intrigues on the left in the city, all brought together in political coalition against a slate of "Independents" of various hard to discern political tendencies (including a few out Liberals) and primarily a white group (and heavily populated by wing-nuts, with some serious issues with meeting decorum).

All of this would of course be just another Left factionalist infighting joke and irrelevant, if the media environment in NYC was anything other than what it is: disgusting. WBAI happens to be the only option when it comes to mass media outlets that serve the left. Its all we got. Unfortunately the financial situation of WBAI is precarious to say the least. And clear information as to the causes is hard to discern - JUS says its the economic situation of NYC (and lack of fundraising dollars from its former listeners) the Independents say it's JUS mismanagement.

One thing is clear: anyone with an interest in building local movements for revolution should concern themselves with this situation and inform themselves with the details of the controversies and people involved. It's our airwaves, right?

Check out the following websites and inform yourself on the situation before voting (if you're a member, no doubt).

Friends of WBAI [3]
"Justice and Unity" slate [4]
"Independents" slate [5]
Pacifica Foundation [6]