[FFCF-PNA] FW: Voices of the Middle East

[Vic Bedoian]

Fellow PNA members,
 
Here is a proposal from Ali Rezapour to broadcast the "Voices of the Middle
East" program from KPFA.  The program is currently aired on Wednesdays 7 to
8 pm, the same time we broadcast Nuestro Foro.  I have listened to the two
most recent editions of Voices of the Middle East.  My impression is that
the programs are well produced, informative, well narrated and have good
coverage of a variety of topics and countries throughout the the Mid East,
Arabia and North Africa.  The news interviews were interesting and well done
and the programs included musical breaks and cultural segments.  The overall
attitude of the program is secular and worldly.  In my view the program
would fill a much-needed gap in local access to in-depth information about
that critical region.   
 
I have also spoken with Eduardo Stanley about the possibility of moving
Nuestro Foro to Tuesdays at 7 pm.  He does not have a problem with it.  Of
course we would allow plenty of time (at least a month) for Nuestro Foro to
inform it's listeners before the switch.  Nuestro Foro on Tuesday would
replace La Raza Chronicles, which is also a good program about Latin
America, but not the only one on the air.  The following program Musical
Colors 8 to 10 pm with Rachel Aguirre will continue as is and provide a nice
cultural compliment to Nuestro Foro.  All in all I think the trade-off is a
good one and I support this proposal.  Let me know what you think.  
 
Best Wishes,
Vic

  _____  

From: Rezapour6 at aol.com [mailto:Rezapour6 at aol.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 10:18 PM
To: vbedoian at kfcf.org
Subject: Voices of the Middle East


 
January 11, 2006
 
To:  The Programming Committee of KFCF
From: Ali Rezapour, KFCF Board Member
 
Re:  Rebroadcasting of "Voices of the Middle East"
 
Dear Programming Committee:
 
     I would like to request your consideration of rebroadcasting "Voices of
the Middle East", a program currently aired on KPFA every Wednesday at 7:00
p.m.  This program offers a more in depth look at the issues behind the
daily events that occur in that region of the world.  My request arises from
two main concerns. First, there is a large presence of people of Middle
Easter descent living in the San Joaquin Valley.  This group is diverse in
culture and numbers.  The Valley's Middle Eastern community ranges from
Lebanese, Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian, Persian, Aremenian, Iraqui, and
Turkish.  They have a keen interest in the types of programs and intelligent
reports that KFCF offers.  Many members of this community are often avid
listeners and strong supporters of this radio station.  KFCF's current
programming schedule lacks a dedicated hour to this region of the world.  It
stands to reason that reintroducing the "Voices of the Middle East" program
will fill a gap in information and representation for the valley's Middle
Easter audience. 
   
     The second reason for my request to return the "Voices of the Middle
East" program is the domination of news by current events in the Middle
East, the significance of what occurs in that region, and its implications
throughout the world. The focus of this U.S. administration and its policies
in the Middle East support the need for a program that focuses on this
region of the world.  The KFCF community at large is better served when
scholars and reporters delve into the historical, religious, and political
details of this region.  KFCF's listening audience would be better informed
about world events and less persuaded by the biased media reports that
dominate the airwaves today.  Without the critical analysis offers in the
"Voices of the Middle East" program, KFCF listeners are at a disadvantage
and vulnerable to seeking information in the mainstream media which often
supports non-factual and agenda driven programs about the Middle East.
 
     KFCF currently hosts "Nuestro Foro" at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
While that is a quality program that is locally produced to cover Latin
American issues in the Spanish language, there are multiple other programs
on KFCF which address the Spanish speaking audience.  I understand that
"Nuestro Foro" is a pre-recorded program which makes it easier to
rebroadcast at an alternative time. I invite you to consider the current
programming schedule and fill the information gap for the Valley's KFCF
family.
 
Thank you for your consideration,
 
Dr. Ali Rezapour
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