1. Pacifica Finally Settles Its Long, Strange Legal Trip —
And Big Changes Are ComingDear Friends of Pacifica,

We come to you now not merely with news, but with the unfolding of a new chapter in a long and turbulent story—a story of ideals, of struggle, and, at times, of painful self-examination.

On April 10, 2025, the Los Angeles Superior Court signed a Final Judgment that brings to a close years of legal contention surrounding the governance of Pacifica Radio. But this is not the end of the story—it is, we believe, the beginning of a wiser and more sustainable future.

This agreement is not a surrender by any side. It is not a victory lap. It is, in the best sense, a reconciliation—an effort to preserve what is worth keeping, and to improve what must change.

What Led Us Here

In 2021, a broad coalition of Pacifica listener-members and staffers—many of them volunteers, lifelong listeners, and committed supporters—voted for a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the foundation of the network. This movement, called New Day Pacifica, sought to modernize governance and improve transparency.

But as is often the case in democratic experiments, the road was far from smooth.

Legal questions were raised. Did the majority staff need to vote yes, separately from the Listeners?  Were all staff votes, particularly those from WBAI in New York, verified and valid? Pacifica’s existing leadership pushed back, challenging the vote’s legitimacy under the existing bylaws. And so, a long legal process began—slow, contentious, and often difficult.

As the case moved from argument to discovery, it was revealed that Pacifica’s requirement for verifying unpaid staff eligibility—specifically, the rule requiring 30 hours of supervised work over three months—was nonexistent at WBAI. There were no time records. No verifications. Just names.

Attorneys for New Day were preparing their arguments for trial: that these unverified votes should be discounted. If that happened, the New Day bylaws would have passed decisively among both listeners and qualified staff.

A court hearing loomed. The stakes were high. And the risks were very real.

The court then ordered both sides to seek mediation.

Choosing a Better Way

The outcome was a settlement—agreed to by people who, despite deep differences, share a belief in Pacifica’s importance .

Rather than risk a sudden judicial restructuring, the Pacifica National Board chose reform over revolution. The result is the set of 2025 Pacifica Bylaws that blend the historic foundation of Pacifica with many of the core ideas from the New Day proposal. It is not perfect. But it is progress. And the Final Judgment, instituting the 2025 Revised Bylaws has been signed by the Judge,

Key Changes to Pacifica’s Governance

Here’s what will change—and when:

A Smaller, Stronger National Board

• The Pacifica National Board will shrink from 22 to 15 members, making it more nimble and focused.
• Starting in 2026, Pacifica members will directly elect:
  • One listener representative per station area
  • Two national staff representatives
  • Four national officers elected by all members
  • Two At-Large directors appointed by the Board
  • Two Affiliate representatives

More Meaningful, Less Frequent Elections

• National elections will now occur every three years, instead of the exhausting near-constant cycle we’ve known—saving time, money, and focus.

Refocused Local Station Boards (LSBs)

• LSBs will shift away from internal governance toward community building, fundraising, and local outreach.
• Vacant LSB seats will now be filled by the LSB itself, not automatically by prior election runners-up.

The above LSB changes have now gone into effect. Current LSB members will serve until 2027, when smaller LSBs will be elected.

Most changes will begin rolling out with the 2026 election cycle, becoming fully operational by 2027.

Beyond Bylaws: What This Really Means

Let’s be honest: Pacifica has been through a difficult period. Governance gridlock. Financial strain. Declining listenership. And yet—through it all—something essential has endured.

What this settlement affirms is not just a new legal structure. It affirms the possibility of cooperation, and the necessity of reform. It acknowledges that Pacifica, like the country it serves, must keep evolving—without losing its soul.

This network was born in an era of deep cultural change. It gave voice to movements for peace, civil rights, workers’ justice, and democratic renewal. It is no less needed now than it was then.

Looking Ahead

In moments like this, we are reminded of something we’ve seen over and over in public life: that democracy doesn’t depend on perfect people—it depends on people willing to work together, despite their imperfections.

The reforms now underway are only the beginning. The real work will be in how we live out these changes—with integrity, with transparency, and always in service of the public interest.

Pacifica has never belonged to a single person, ideology, or board. It belongs to you—the listener, the staffer, the community volunteer, the donor who believes that truth still matters, and that media can be a public good.

Let’s honor that trust by rebuilding with care, listening and giving generously, and remembering why we came together in the first place.

 

2. New Day Pacifica and the Pacifica Foundation Reach a Landmark SettlementA New Beginning for Pacifica

After four long years of legal strife, Pacifica Foundation and New Day Pacifica have reached a settlement in the case that has dominated the organization’s attention and resources since 2021. This lawsuit, filed by Pacifica itself, aimed to halt the implementation of the New Day Proposed Bylaws Revision, a reform package definitively endorsed by 55% of Pacifica members. More than 6,.800 listeners and staff members from across the nation voted for these changes, hoping to guide the network out of the financial and structural crisis that had threatened to unravel it.

In a court-ordered mediation, the two sides — New Day Pacifica, a group of current and former board members, staff, and listeners, and Pacifica itself — found common ground. This hard-won settlement, finalized in April 2025, will now update the Pacifica Bylaws, incorporating many of the provisions that had been passed by the membership in the 2021 referendum. A referendum that was, let’s not forget, the result of a year of debates, discussions, and contentious votes.

The settlement has been ratified by the Pacifica National Board (PNB) and approved by the court, which ordered that the new set of Updated, Consolidated 2025 Pacifica Bylaws take effect immediately.

The court order, signed by the judge, and which contains all of the revised Bylaws, is here: Court Order with Revised Bylaws

Read the press release on the Bylaws settlement from the Pacifica Executive Director.

A Settlement That Matters — And Will Begin to Make a Difference Right Away

The promise of this settlement is not just in the legal documents or the bylines. Its real impact will be felt immediately.

With the adoption of the revised Bylaws, Pacifica will now have a clearer, more nimble management structure. The Executive Director will have the flexibility to hire permanent General Managers and staff at each station based on qualifications and experience, rather than being mired in the personal and often divisive politics that have plagued the network for years. This means that General Managers, with fewer distractions, can focus on what really matters — high-quality, mission-driven programming that attracts more listeners, increases community engagement, and, ultimately, raises much-needed donations.

For years, the network’s governance structure was seen as unwieldy and inefficient, a barrier to progress. Now, the number of members on the Pacifica National Board (PNB) will be reduced from 22 to 15, a move that has long been advocated by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Pacifica’s auditors, The large, governing board structure — which included 120 members (24 members on each of five Local Station Boards (20 of whom were elected to the PNB) was simply too cumbersome and, often, a source of dysfunction and internal strife.

By cutting down the size of the National Board and refocusing Local Station Boards on fundraising, outreach, and member engagement, Pacifica will be in a better position to rebuild its relevance and financial stability. It’s a start, not an end, but a start that many believe has been long overdue.

Financial Relief and Strategic Direction: A Vision for the Future

One of the most immediate effects of this settlement is financial. By avoiding a prolonged legal battle, which would have drained precious resources, Pacifica is saving tens of thousands of dollars that can now be redirected toward operations and programming — the lifeblood of any listener-sponsored network. These savings are not just a reprieve; they represent an opportunity to invest in Pacifica’s future, ensuring that it can continue to serve the communities that depend on it.

PNB Director Zack Kaldveer aptly put it, saying, “I support these long-overdue reforms that will bring efficiency, accountability, and real democracy to Pacifica’s governance. This settlement is a major step forward, ensuring key decisions are made by people who understand broadcasting, making the Board more effective, and finally delivering the changes members have demanded for years and conclusively voted to enact but were denied.”

This, after all, is what democracy at its best looks like. It is about responding to the will of the people — in this case, the members who voted decisively for change in 2021, but whose wishes had been delayed and obstructed. This settlement acknowledges that their voices have finally been heard.

A Renewed Pacifica: A Vital Force for Democracy and Justice

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this settlement is the potential it unleashes. Pacifica, with its five stations in major metropolitan areas and approximately 200 affiliates nationwide, has always had the potential to be a major force for truth and justice in American media. In an era where corporate consolidation and media monopolies dominate the landscape, Pacifica’s mission — to provide independent, truth-to-power journalism — has never been more essential.

Now, with a smaller, more focused board and a renewed commitment to serving its listeners and communities, Pacifica is poised to reclaim its place as a beacon of democratic engagement and critical inquiry. In the midst of deepening political and social divides, Pacifica has the tools to be part of the solution: a diverse network of voices, united by a common purpose, speaking truth to power and bringing the news that matters to those who need it most.

This is the promise of the settlement, and this is the vision for Pacifica’s future.

The road ahead for Pacifica is still challenging, but this settlement represents a pivotal moment — a turning point in the life of the network. There is work yet to be done, but at least now the path is clearer, and the hope of a renewed Pacifica, ready to fulfill its mission in a time of crisis, is within reach.
In the end, this settlement isn’t just about legal compromises or procedural changes. It is about the future of independent media and its role in a democracy that desperately needs voices that are not beholden to the corporate elite, but instead to the people.

The Ink’s Dry, the Mic’s Hot—Now Tell Us What Pacifica Oughta Be!"

Well, the ink's barely dry on the Revised 2025 Pacifica Bylaws, and now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. The New Day Pacifica crew wants to hear from you — yes, you — about how we can make Pacifica and your local station better, bolder, and a whole lot more people-powered.

We’re not some corporate outfit with slick consultants and a 50-page PowerPoint. Nope—we believe real wisdom comes from the grassroots. So if you've got thoughts, gripes, hopes, or wild ideas about programming or the direction of Pacifica, now’s the time to speak up.

So please take a minute (or three) and give us your ideas on how to improve your station and Pacifica -- fill out this short survey to help shape the future of Pacifica and your station. It’s short, sweet, and mighty important.

And don’t stop there — pass this survey around like cornbread at a potluck. Got friends who listen now, used to tune in, or might be future fans? Share it with 'em! Pacifica is a living, breathing thing—and it oughta reflect the folks who care about it.

With gratitude and hope,
The New Day Team
On behalf of those working toward Pacifica’s renewal

For more information and updates, please see newdaypacifica.org