“We cannot lose our station!” Petition launched to keep G98.7 in black community

BY PAUL JUNOR

In many ways, G98.7-FM has become part of the mainstream music industry in Toronto. The radio station was founded by the late Fitzroy Gordon in 2011 and has been a launching pad for the careers of many Toronto artists.

Since his death in April 2019 there has been much speculation about the fate of the radio station. The radio station, which was the culmination of a ten-year struggle, saw three separate applications to the CRTC before the license was issued. Its website states G98.7 FM is “100% Canadian owned and the ownership is 85 % of black and Caribbean descent.”

Insolvencyinsider.ca, an industry website reported on June 3^rd, 2020 that G98.7 FM was placed on investigative receivership after an application was filed by Jamrock Broadcasting and Delforth Blythe. Delford had stakes in the station as a minority stakeholder and served in its management as chief financial officer. However, in 2016, he was removed from his role after he alleged that there was financial mismanagement at the station by Gordan, who he claimed redirected funds from online web advertisements to himself.

He filed an application in 2016 to obtain corporate oppression after he became concerned about the financial state of the station. This issue was not resolved and was thrown out after Fitzroy Gordon suffered a stroke in 2017.

Exclaim.ca reported on July 17^th, 2020 that Blythe who served as vice-president of the station sued Gordon after he was fired from his position at the station. There was an on-going conflict between the two of them from 2015. Blythe sued Gordon for $2 million in damages for defamation and Gordon counter sued him for $5 million. Gordon alleged that it was because of negligence and incompetence on Blythe’s part that the station had lost potential revenues from support opportunities.

The law firm A. Farber & Partners Inc will be involved in the sale and investment solicitation process (SISP) of the company, Intercity Broadcasting Network that owns the station. G98.7 FM has been keeping its listeners and concerned onlookers informed by reporting that, “No entity or individuals apart from A.Farber & Partners is authorized to coordinate and/or solicit funds on behalf of Intercity Broadcasting Network,G98.7 FM or the  estate of the late founder and CEO Fitzroy Gordon.”

 Many in the black community in Toronto have asked the Prime Minister to intervene. A statement from the Black Action Defense Committee (BADC) states, “The station could change hands and leave the black community within a week without special government intervention to ensure that this black community cultural asset remains in black community hands.”

CBC News reported on August 26^th, 2020 that an online petition was launched by Aubrey Clarke, President of Environ Urban Sales and Marketing which has received over 4,000 signatures. CBC states it is, “Calling for the station to remain majority-black-owned and operated at all times and to make that it’s condition of its license.” Aubrey informed CBC News that Premier Doug Ford, NDP black caucus; Andrea Horvath and Mayor John Tory have sent letters of support.

Dr. Nikoli Attai observes, “A loss of the city’s main radio source of Caribbean entertainment is frightening as it reminds us of the sad reality that black and Caribbean spaces are shrinking at an alarming high rate here in Toronto.”