Dear 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 a 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 generously, and remembering why we came together in the first place.

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