June 15, 2005
Take action for low-power FM radio!
There’s an important battle being fought right now in Congress, and it needs your help. Please read on, then join me in taking action.
The Situation
Low-power FM radio stations are non-commercial, community stations that broadcast at less than 100 watts. (For comparison, the largest commercial radio stations broadcast at 100,000 watts.) They serve a critical need in promoting localism and diversity in broadcast media, and open the doors to participation for many who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance.
Low-power FM was created in 2000. At the time, restrictive rules were enacted that severly limited the number of frequencies available to LPFM broadcasters. The National Association of Broadcasters claimed that 100-watt stations would interfere with their 100,000-watt juggernauts. Advocates of low-power FM lobbyed against this, and as a result, Congress commissioned an independent study of the question. Two years ago, the study proved unequivocally that there was no potential of an LPFM station interfering with a full power station in the slots forbidden them. With $2.2 million of taxpayer money spent on the study, and community groups clamoring for their chance to take to the airwaves, the FCC made its recommendation to Congress: now is the time to expand LPFM.
The issue is before Congress right now. We need to make our voices heard in support of low-power FM.
Continue reading to find out how…
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