The first in a series of public debates on the most incendiary issues of our times.

Is religion inherently destructive or is faith a force for good? The controversial writer Christopher Hitchens, author of the bestselling "God is Not Great", and the journalist Chris Hedges, author of "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning" and "Losing Moses on the Freeway", argue the many dimensions of this issue.

The debate takes place on Thursday, May 24, at 7:30pm at King Middle School, 1781 Rose Street in Berkeley. You can buy tickets online at kpfa.org/tickets - $20 in advance, and $25 at door. The event is a benefit for KPFA. Learn More!

The U.S. Copyright Royalty Board has ruled that royalty rates for music streamed over the Internet will increase dramatically. Many online webcasters, commercial and non-commercial alike, will not be able to afford these excessive rate hikes, and may, in some cases, go offline completely.

Here are some facts:

• Although KPFA is a noncommercial station, our costs will increase.
• Many online webcasters will be forced to shut down or go bankrupt due to the tremendous royalty increase.
• Internet Radio is not a fringe media: between 50 to 70 million people in the U.S. listen to some form of Internet radio.
• The Internet Radio Equality Act (HR 2060) and a Senate companion bill have been introduced to address this alarming decision by the CRB.
• For more information, visit kpfa.org/savewebradio.

Our very first international online donation for our Spring Fund Drive came from Roxanne Andrieux, a listener in Shanghai, China - 10,000 kilometers away from our studios in Berkeley, CA. KPFA asked Roxanne to tell us a little about how she listens to kpfa.org:

KPFA: How long have you been living in China?

I've been living in China for 4.5 years, and in Hong Kong and Singapore for 6 years prior to that. I work in Shanghai in property development now, a hot field in a hot spot... the landscape is constantly changing. My Chinese friends who visit Europe and the States say that it's quite boring there since everything always looks the same!

KPFA: How do you listen to KPFA.org... Live Stream? Archives? Podcasts?

We listen to KPFA via podcast subscription.

KPFA: What have your experiences been regarding access to Internet content in China? (We have heard that the "Great Firewall of China" censors slightly less content in Shanghai vs. other parts of China.)

Regarding our Internet experience in Shanghai, it's difficult to notice any particular difficulty. The only thing I notice is that we cannot get BBC News, but then again, the BBC World Service is not allowed to broadcast in the US, so we acknowledge that censorship exists there as well.

KPFA: As somebody living outside the U.S., are there any web features that you would recommend KPFA.org should pursue to help serve our international listeners?

Without a TV in our home (by choice), we obtain our news from a variety of podcasts, including, for example: iTele [france], Radio France, DW-World, as well as KPFA and Pacifica, so keep up the good work, keep up to date, and keep ahead of the game!

KPFA: There are literally millions of online media sources on the Internet - what makes you a fan and supporter of KPFA.org?

...We particularly value your international news coverage, especially Amy Goodman on Democracy Now and Robert Fisk on Dennis Bernstein's show, Flashpoints. I hope all the broadcasters realize that they have a world-wide audience at all times nowadays.

Share your favorite KPFA shows with the entire Internet.

One of the easiest, and most underused ways to get the word out about the progressive and alternative programming on KPFA is to share links to the KPFA archives on "social bookmarking" websites.

The challenge for KPFA (and other sites) has been to decide which network site links to include: StumbleUpon? Digg? Del.icio.us? New social network sites pop up all the time, how does one keep up?

To help solve this problem, KPFA is testing out the "addthis.com" social bookmarking tool, which will allow visitors to quickly share links with most of the popular social bookmark and friend network sites. Look for the "Bookmark" button on our individual archive pages - we'll be adding these links to the rest of our webpages soon!

Here's a sample of some recently archived shows... Visit kpfa.org/archives to hear more!

• A look at the Cuban healthcare system on La Raza Chronicles
• Doug Edwards and panel discuss the absence of Black musicians from the Berkeley Jazz Festival
• An airing of Malcolm X's "The Ballot or the Bullet."
• Remembering the late writer Kurt Vonnegut.
• Last Saturday's Music Lineup: Blues, Jazz, More Jazz, Cuban, Brazilian... and more!

We need your feedback:

• Use our online contact form.
• Call the KPFA feedback line at: 510-848-6767 ext. 622
• kpfanewsletterkpfa.org

SF Carnaval 2007
May 26, 2007
Live on KPFA: 11am to 6pm this Saturday! Hosted by the KPFA All Stars, broadcasting live from the 17th & Harrison Street Stage! Perfect music to crank up in the car wherever you go this weekend.
Scheduled Performers:
Lefty Perez (direct from Puerto Rico). Also featuring: Batista, Morenada Bolivia, Reggaeton from Frankely, Tambores Do Brazil, Julius Melendez, Diego Diego, Yaocuaulhtli, Ariel, Sacred Fire and Zebop! Visit kpfa.org for more

Indo Pacific Edge: Pacific Islander Special
May 31, 2007, 8pm to Midnight
Check out the "Asian/Pacific Radio Specials On Kpfa" Myspace page.

KPFA Sponsored:

Christopher Hitchens & Chris Hedges - "Is God... Great?"
Thursday May 24th, 7:30 PM
Berkeley, CA
Purchase tickets online: kpfa.org/tickets

Berkeley World Music Weekend - Free to the Public
Saturday June 2nd, Noon to 9 pm
Berkeley

A Tribute to Larry Bensky - Free to the Public
Sunday June 3rd, 7pm
Berkeley

HEALDSBURG JAZZ FESTIVAL - VARIOUS VENUES JUNE 1 - 10
Sunday June 10th, Various Times
Healdsburg

CESARIA EVORA AT THE MOUNTAIN WINERY-SUNDAY, JUNE 10TH
Sunday June 10th, 7:30 pm
Saratoga

BEBEL GILBERTO AT BIMBOS 365 CLUB-NEW DATES: JUNE 18 & 19
Tuesday June 19th, 8 pm
San Francisco

CARLINHOS BROWN & OJOS DE BRUJO @ SF JAZZ SPRING SEASON
Saturday June 23rd, 8 pm
San Francisco

View all events...

To listen to the calendar, call 510-848-6767 ext. 621 The KPFA Community Calendar airs daily and is produced by KPFA's First Voice Apprenticeship Program.