WLRN employees remain in limbo as mediation drags on
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The school district and WLRN have been in legal battles since the summer. Photo: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
WLRN employees remain in the dark about their newsroom's future, weeks after station and county school district officials first met to resolve a monthslong dispute.
Why it matters: The uncertainty comes as employees were already fearful for the station's survival and alarmed by the recent actions of leadership at South Florida Public Media Group, which manages WLRN.
- It also comes as public radio stations nationwide are struggling with cuts to federal funding. Last week was WLRN's pledge drive.
State of play: Leaders of SFPMG and the Miami-Dade school district, which holds WLRN's broadcast license, held a mediation Feb. 26 to address their legal fight.
- Within days, employees told Axios that SFPMG CEO John LaBonia's office was cleared out. But employees were given no information about his status.
- Since then, staff have received a few emails from leadership sent by someone other than LaBonia, who typically would have sent them in the past.
What we're hearing: The lack of clarity about the station's direction is "hanging over everything," an employee who asked to remain anonymous for fear of job repercussions tells Axios.
The other side: Richard Rampell, the chair of SFPMG's board, told Axios on Thursday that "mediation is ongoing" and both parties have agreed not to speak to the media.
- LaBonia also declined to comment on Friday.
- Rampell has been central to WLRN employees' concerns about the station's leadership, due in part to his name-calling of school district officials and behavior during an internal newsroom meeting.
Meanwhile, district officials told Axios both parties "are working collaboratively and in good faith" toward a resolution, but can't comment on specific details during mediation.
Catch up quick: The conflict began over the summer when SFPMG announced plans to acquire a West Palm Beach radio station.
- The school district sued, claiming the acquisition would come at the expense of SFPMG's mission in Miami.
- In January, a group of senior station leaders sent a letter to the board, calling out the "growing loss of trust" in leadership.
- Then, last month, most of WLRN's staff signed a second letter to SFPMG's board, calling for an "immediate and independent review of executive leadership" and a plan to "repair… [the station's] institutional partnerships."
What we're watching: SFPMG's leaders are set for a board meeting Thursday. It's unclear when the mediation with the school district will resolve.