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Letter to the editor, Yakima Herald-Republic, May 7, 2009
On Radio KDNA
To the editor — I write this letter to add to the Yakima Herald-Republic report on Radio KDNA. I was present at the April 15 board meeting of the Northwest Communities Education Center. I witnessed the board abruptly walk out on the community members who were there to express their concerns regarding the executive director of Radio KDNA and the leadership of the board.
The report in the April 19 edition was fairly written but it lacked some needed clarification. The following happened the day after the April 15 meeting. The news director, Francisco Rios, started his daily 8 a.m. KDNA news report by receiving a report of the previous day’s meeting from Ricardo Garcia as well as from Jorge Lobos, board chairperson. One minute after Ricardo started to give his report via telephone, Maria Fernandez, executive director, canceled his call. However, she allowed Mr. Lobos to continue his report that went on for almost 15 minutes. Afterward, she asked Francisco Rios to go home, as reported in your article. He was off the air for several days during which there were no news reports produced and aired by Radio KDNA. Many listeners are upset.
Another remark I want to make in reference to Sunday’s article is the youth who said he listens to commercial stations. No surprise here for young people of any race at this age to listen to radio for music and not for information/public affairs programming. However, Radio KDNA does produce a two-hour program on Friday nights for young people with relevant educational messages as well as popular hip hop music. I understand it has a sizeable audience.
Organizations with a strong network of employees such as KDNA’s are capable of “change.” It’s when the directorship of the organization doubts their abilities and tries to overtake already in place systems.
ELIZA R. SANCHEZ
Grandview
