WASHINGTION, DC--Michael McCray, co-chair, on behalf of the International Association of Whistleblowers (IAW)--w e are pleased and honored to welcome representatives from the PACIFICA radio network's local and national board to the 2011 national whistleblowers caucus. And announce a historic collaborative effort between IAW and Pacifica to bring the voices of America's unsung heroes to the public through First Amendment advocacy and the Pacifica Radio network.
On The Air by Donald Fields
The IAW Whistleblower Caucus was held on Sunday, August 19, 2011--this year's themes included Judicial Accountability and Medical Integrity. This event was sponsored by the International Association of Whistleblowers; the only public interest advocacy group made up of--by--and for individual whistleblowers.
This historic caucus began with a poignant "empty chair" ceremony celebrating whistleblowers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the public good and culminated with an agreement between IAW and Pacifica to support whistleblowers and promote First Amendment activism.
Dr. James Murtaugh, co-chair, IAW is the whistleblower editor for OpEd News which has become the leading Social Media Outlet for whistleblower stories that the Main Stream Media loathes to publish. With the new outlet of Pacifica Radio--whistleblower stories will be available to million of listeners across America.
The Pacifica Network consists of five nationally respected radio stations from coast to coast, including New York, NY (WBAI), Washington, DC (WPFW), Houston, TX (KPFT), Berkley, CA (KPFA) and Los Angeles, CA (KPFK) -- with hundreds of affiliated stations, reaching millions of listeners in between.
The panel on First Amendment, Social Media and Public Radio included;
- Rob Kall, Founder OpEd News
- Joan Brunwasser, Editor/OpEd News
- Arlene Engelhardt, Executive Director/Pacifica
- Marcel Reid, ACORN 8, Pacifica/WPFW Director
- Acie Byrd, Founder/PNB
Topic: First Amendment, Blowing the Whistle with Public Radio and using Public Radio for community organizing and activism. A Brief history of the Pacifica Network and panel conversation with members of the Pacifica Foundation, local board and staff.
The IAW consists of Persons of Conscience, from all walks of life including Corporate, Federal Workforce, Public Health and Safety, National Security, Law Enforcement, Defense, Food and Nutrition, Aviation, Title VII, Scientific, Medical, Judicial Accountability, etc. -- together we form a mutual support network for courageous whistleblowers.
IAW supports the passage of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA) during the Fifth Annual Anniversary of the Washington Whistleblowers Assembly sponsored by the Government Accountability Project (GAP) and co-sponsored by the IAW. The formal Washington Whistleblower Assembly began on Monday August 20-21, 2011.
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