Name:

Marshall James

Expertise:

Endorsements:

Statement:

My name is Marshall James and I am Environmental and Labor Rights activist and podcast producer living in Los Angeles. I am running to join the local station board of KPFK in Los Angeles to bring a passionate voice to help guide the station to new, younger listeners. The world of 2018 is almost unrecognizable from the world of ten years ago, and in order to stay relevant KPFK and Pacifica need to include millennial input in order to stay relevant and thrive.

A little about me - I am a film, television, and podcast production professional with over eight years experience bringing projects and programs to fruition. My primary focus is on advocacy for the environment and for worker’s rights. My passion for defending the Earth is deeply rooted in a desire to seek justice and peace for not only humanity, but all life on our planet. To that end, I became a Congressional liaison with the Citizens Climate Lobby, a nonprofit multinational volunteer organization with members meeting with and encouraging the political class to take faster action on climate change. I liaise directly with U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA37) and advise her and her staff on environment bills coming before the House and keep them abreast of developments in environmental research. I also volunteer with local groups, such as Food and Water Watch and STAND LA, organizations which advocate directly for the people of LA on matters pertaining to pollution and public health.

Beyond my devotion to a cleaner, greener world, I believe in a world where all people are given the dignity and opportunities that the potential of the human race has brought us. We live in a dire time where humanity has never been more productive, has never worked harder, and yet the fruits of our collective work are hoarded by a relentless and cunning few. This is why fearless journalism and cutting-edge progressive thought needs a voice, now more than ever. The working class must be woken up the struggle we all are facing together, we must raise our voices united, we must take hold of the destiny of Earth and steer us toward the sustainable, peaceful future we know we are capable of. Pacifica Radio, with it s programs like Democracy Now! demonstrate the value of a knowledgeable source of information and advocacy. As a member of the board of KPFK, I would push for greater reach into topics related to the climate crisis, the collective worker’s struggle, and the humanitarian crisis affecting oppressed peoples around the globe

Questionnaire

1)   Why do you want to be on the Local Station Board?

I believe in progressive radio and want to see KPFK grow its reach in the working-class community. As a podcast producer, I value the recorded word as a tool to inform and inspire, and I believe now more than ever that we need strong, enlightened audio content.

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

The Local Station Board is well positioned to interface directly with the communities that KPFK wants to hear from. They have knowledge of current events and cultural movements relative to their locality because they live where the communities live.

3)   How could the station better serve its listeners?

America has changed dramatically in the new millennium. Fascism and nationalism are on the rise, corporate consolidation fueling political corruption due to Citizens United, and the climate crisis is worsening. Now more than ever, Pacifica needs to be producing quality pointed journalism and programming addressing these concerns for an audience hungry for real news, not alternative facts.

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?

Pacifica should incorporate more voices from the working classes, from the communities of color (especially the Latinx population), from the LGBTQIA community, and from the religious minority communities. Diversity is the strength of the left and the younger generations are attracted to better representation, richer perspectives, and a respect for every person’s story.

5)   What sources of funding, other than listener donations, do you feel KPFK should solicit?

Government grants for journalism and diversity programming is a good place to look. Underwriting by certain companies is also a possibility as long as it is handled in an honest and transparent way, where potential for conflicts of interest are highly scrutinized.

6)   Please state briefly the skills, experience, educational 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.

BA - Journalism from Marshall University BA Film and Television Broadcasting
        from Eastern Kentucky University
8 years in film and television production in Los Angeles
4 year podcast audio production
2 years Congressional Liaison with Citizens Climate Lobby
2 years volunteer organizing with Food & Water Watch
2 years volunteering with STAND LA
Eagle Scout and Troop Leader with Boy Scouts of America

7)      Do you anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family or job related problems or inadequate transportation?

I do not

8)   On which Local Station Board committees are you interested in actively serving? If you are a current Local Station Board member, on which committees do you currently serve?

I am open to any.