Greg Guma, co-founder of the Vermont Guardian, will become executive director of the Pacifica Foundation, left-of-center operator of five pubradio stations [Pacifica website], the Guardian reported today. Predecessor Dan Coughlin held the position three years before resigning in June 2005. Guma has edited two other progressive publications, owned bookstores, coordinated the Peace and Justice Center in Burlington and headed a legal services group for immigrants in New Mexico. Meanwhile, the board of Pacifica's KPFA-FM in Berkeley has reportedly recommended firing the station manager there, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

A co-host of War News Radio on Swarthmore College's public radio station discussed the show on public radio's The World last week. (Link launches Windows Media Player file.)

Chris Douridas, a host on KCRW-FM in Santa Monica, was arrested last week on suspicion of drugging and trying to kidnap a teenaged girl, reports the Los Angeles Times. "We believe in Chris as a person, and we think he has strong character," said a KCRW exec. (Press release from the Santa Monica Police Department.)

Will Oprah come to Masterpiece Theatre's rescue? A Reuters story suggests that PBS will ask Harpo, Oprah Winfrey's production company, to sponsor MT miniseries, quoting outgoing PBS President Pat Mitchell. "Oprah is incredibly philanthropic with her money and supports so many good causes," Mitchell told reporters at last weekend's Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena. "This would be one." WGBH sources aren't aware of any plans to approach Winfrey with sponsorship proposals, however. MT has been looking for a major sponsor since ExxonMobil turned off the cash pumps after the 2004 season. More from the press tour: PBS needs more money. "Some things never change for the Public Broadcasting Service: 'Sesame Street,' British theater and empty pockets," reports the Associated Press; despite the fact that she's a short-timer, Mitchell has declined to blast Kenneth Tomlinson or otherwise "speak frankly" about last year's controversy, according to the Hartford Courant; New York's WNET is producing new docs on the Supreme Court and American comedy and has committed to two more seasons of Wide Angle, the fifth and sixth for the Emmy-award winning international affairs show hosted by Bill Moyers. WGBH's American Experience will produce a doc on New Orleans. "With the recent devastation to the city, the time is right to reflect on the rich history of New Orleans," said American Experience executive producer Mark Samels.

A former freelancer for NPR has filed a lawsuit against the Museum of Modern Art alleging that the museum got him fired from his reporting job. David D'Arcy claims that MoMA officials lied to his editors at NPR and demanded a false correction. An NPR spokeswoman denied the charges in the suit, according to a UPI clip.

NPR reporter sues MoMA over firing