Pacifica | Current

Maxie Jackson resigns as Pacifica executive director

Pacifica’s board has selected an interim executive director.

Rusty Hassan has seen shows and stations come and go during his long career on Washington, D.C., airwaves, and he’s still at it.

“I have to ask my friends for help so I can keep on working and … producing,” says the man known as the “sage of independent producers.”

“Instead of looking at the obstacles, I’m focusing more on the opportunity.”

Jackson is station manager at ideastream in Cleveland and has headed the National Federation of Community Broadcasters.

NPR has urged the FCC to protect public broadcasters using the spectrum to distribute programming.

The foundation is also in the “final stages” of relocating the transmitter for WBAI in New York City.

The Empire State Realty Trust sued Pacifica and WBAI over unpaid transmitter rent.

“Its great editorial strength was always its emphasis on boots-on-the-ground reporting by people who really knew the textures of their communities.”