WGBH insists there was no 'gag order' on CAI staff
Rather, instructions to refer inquiries to "the communications team" -- and then an open letter, with a public apology
Responding to the most recent Cape Cod Voice, WGBH pulls the building out from under WCAI, Director of Marketing for WGBH Tina Cassidy took exception to one quote which referred to an alleged “gag order” on CAI staff to stop them from discussing GBH’s decision to sell the station’s historic home in Woods Hole.
“I am reaching out because you inaccurately reported in your substack that GBH imposed some sort of gag order on our staff,” wrote Cassidy in an email. “We have processes like most other businesses — if press calls come in, refer them to the communications team … So please correct it.”
The term was used by CAI founder Jay Allison, who now says he regrets saying that, and there must have been “a misunderstanding” between CAI staff and GBH management.
While many businesses refer press inquiries to a communications person, that does not preclude a prohibition on talking to media; indeed, such a policy could accomplish that.
So my response to marketing director Cassidy included the following:
“To be sure I understand clearly, when you say that staff was told to refer any press calls to the communications team, did that mean that people were told not to speak about this matter, or told that they could speak but needed to let the communications team know? Much appreciate this clarification, because on-air, there was a clear statement that CAI staff was enjoined from talking about this.”
My email also made clear that I would be happy to discuss all aspects of this intended sale with GBH President Susan Goldberg or anyone from GBH management; detailed questions sent to Cassidy a week earlier were not answered, the same offer declined.
The article appeared Friday morning, Nov. 9. These emails were exchanged that afternoon, no further direct communication as yet.
However, an open letter circulated (and shared with me) later that day included a general apology, as well as a statement (with no explanatory details) that WCAI has “lost” more than $2 million in the past five years. Here it is in full:
Dear radio family,
We are writing with an update about the CAI studio in Woods Hole. As some of you may have heard, we recently determined that we could no longer afford to stay in our current home, a historic captain’s house in Woods Hole, a place literally and figuratively in the heart of this community.
We need an affordable, purpose-built space for CAI in the area that could allow us to engage even more directly with our audiences and neighbors while we continue to produce – and indeed expand – impactful local journalism for the Cape and Islands and beyond.
After our plans to sell the building and relocate in the area became public, many of you expressed your thoughts with us: having CAI broadcast from the house on the hill is like a beacon, a reminder that your local radio station is still there, at a time when so many other local media outlets are disappearing. We also heard from some of you who were dismayed that we were not more collaborative in our decision-making about selling the property. For that we apologize. Our work is built on trust and we’re sorry for letting you down. We certainly could have done a better job sharing our needs and challenges, and hearing from you about potential solutions.
Yesterday, I met with CAI staff and community members, including the Woods Hole Community Association. The community association discussed their concerns and interest in acquiring the building and possibly making a contingent offer. Until that happens, there is nothing to consider. But because the community is so interested in staying informed about where our studio is located, we thought we’d share this update, along with some additional background information.
Public media – like all media – faces financial headwinds. CAI is losing about $500,000 every year and has lost more than $2 million in the last five years. GBH is responsible for those financial losses. We need a new studio not only because we cannot afford to stay where we are, but for operational reasons, as well, including the need to upgrade our studio to meet specific broadcast standards.
Once we realized we needed to move, an offer came quickly, and we accepted it. Now, assuming the Woods Hole Community Association comes forward with its promised offer we can evaluate that as well.
Seeing the heartfelt response from the Cape and Islands community to our plan to move has been a powerful reminder of the role public media plays in the communities we serve, the standards we must meet to foster trust, and the two-way relationship we have with our audience.
So let me be clear about a few things. CAI will continue to be on the air, uninterrupted, no matter what. If we have to move, we will work hand-in-hand with the CAI team to look for a new home nearby. An ideal space is one that can accommodate all of our technology needs, have space to welcome in the community for events or programming, and perhaps be shared with another local mission-minded partner. We welcome any ideas you might have.
Our only reason for selling the building is so that we can invest in local journalism. Bringing you the news and providing a community forum remains our priority. In fact, we’ve already got some new programming in development, and will share that with you soon.
We’ll update you more when we have news.
And finally, thank you for listening. We’re listening to you, too.
Susan Goldberg, President and CEO of GBH
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This is a hopeful statement, perhaps even personally gratifying: My previous column’s last word was an exhortation to GBH:
“Listen.”
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Thank you, Seth, for bringing this important issue to Cape and Island’s listeners attention and more importantly getting the attention of GBH.
In the coming years, I’m wondering if there will be more financial pressure on public radio stations as the winds of change, again, blow over our country? What’s the plan to survive over the long term?
The amount WCAI has lost, according to the statement, seems prohibitive to continuing operations. Yet they are. Curious.
In any event NPR, GBH , and PBS, will have their hands full trying to remain in existence the next 4+ years. They’ll need all the friends they can get, and will need a new way of encouraging them.