EXCLUSIVE: Randy Credico Speaks About WBAI’s Ongoing Legal Fight

disobedientmedia.com / Elizabeth Vos / September 28, 2017

Disobedient Media has previously reported on corporate attacks against anti establishment media. In our previous coverage of the issue, the victims of censorship were largely using new media platforms like Youtube or social media. However, these newer anti establishment voices are not the only ones to experience a backlash from large corporations in part because of their independent stance. Disobedient Media recently spoke with Randy Credicoof the historic WBAI radio station, which has provided a platform to anti establishment voices for decades.

The station is currently facing a lawsuit from the Empire State Realty Trust, which has charged WBAI up to five times the going rate for rental fees, while simultaneously refusing to allow WBAI to end the contract which they are unable to pay. WBAI broadcasts from the antenna located on the top of the Empire State Building.

Credico told Disobedient Media that the station hopes to be able to fulfill the good faith agreement between WBAI and ESRT, which would have allowed them to pay the going rate or be released from the contract in order to find a more affordable location. The station is calling on the public for support of its efforts to be released from a contract which they estimate was four or five times the going rate, so that they can move to a less expensive location.

Credico told Disobedient Media that the contract between ESRT and WBAI had been negotiated in 2005, and would expire in 2020. WBAI stated in their press release on the subject that the ongoing legal battle may stem from issues which are not purely financial. The statement reads in part: “The ESRT threat to Pacifica may involve more than financial opportunism. In these urgent times there are interests who stand to benefit from the loss Pacifica’s powerful free speech advocacy.” The judge in the case will hear the case on October 4th.

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