KPFK shuffles the deck

November 4, 2009 – Pacifica Radio KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles and 98.7 FM Santa Barbara is announcing a new programming schedule that commences this week and includes three new series. Margaret Prescod will host the 7am hour Tuesday through Friday; Mitch Jeserich’s “Letters to Washington” will air at noon, Monday through Thursday; and Ian Masters will hold down the 5pm drive time hour Monday through Thursday. KPFK Program Director Alan Minsky says these changes reflect a station refocusing its programming to serve the needs of Southern California communities in the age of Obama. “People need a station that seriously addresses the crises of our time – economic, environmental, international and local – and that provides a voice to those who put forward realistic solutions to the issues we face.”

“We’re in a time when newspapers are in trouble, but opinion-driven political coverage dominates TV news and the blogosphere. Audiences still want serious news and analysis, but they’re also looking for stronger points of view to go with deeper content. Pacifica has always excelled at that – with this in mind, KPFK is stepping up its public affairs content.”

A BBC-trained Australian journalist, Ian Masters has been the long-time host of KPFK’s Sunday hit show, Background Briefing. The LA Weekly has called Masters show “Simply the finest public affairs radio program in the United States.” While the LA Times wrote “"Ian Masters produces a program that is considerably more ambitious and frequently more illuminating than such Sunday morning television fare as NBC's "Meet the Press" and ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Masters seems to be pushing ever onward towards the heart of the matter." Along with his M-TH 5pm show, Masters will remain on Sundays from 11am to 1pm.

Margaret Prescod came to KPFK with years of experience as a women’s rights and anti-racist activist; including several years bringing the voice of the grassroots to UN conferences and consultations on women. Margaret Prescod fearlessly pursues whatever story she is covering, and always prioritizes the needs of real people. Actor Danny Glover says “KPFK is lucky to have Margaret Prescod on its airwaves; it is the right move for Margaret’s voice to be heard more frequently. She is at ease, insightful and her audience is enriched. I am a huge fan.”

Mitch Jeserich, a veteran of the Washington Press Corps, hosts Pacifica Radio’s “Letters to Washington”, which reports on the top national issues of the day from a progressive point of view.

Additionally, the new KPFK line-up will feature the return of Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson with “The Hutchinson Report” heard on Saturdays at noon. Cary Harrison, formerly of KTLK/Progressive Talk 1150AM, will host Mondays at 3pm. Comedy Central star Jimmy Dore joins the KPFK team on Wednesdays at 3pm. Antonio Gonzalez, named by Time Magazine as “one of the 25 most influential Hispanics in the Country,” will move to afternoon drive time, Mondays at 4pm.

KPFK Radio celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year on July 26 and the Pacifica Radio Network began 60 years ago at Berkeley’s KPFA. Pacifica Radio’s Mission statement states that the network “shall contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and through any and all means compatible with the purposes of this corporation to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms.”