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…

The Opportunity

In February, Senators John McCain, Patrick Leahy, and Maria Cantwell introduced S. 312, a bill that would expand low-power FM to reach thousands more communities. This month, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and others will propose a companion bill to do the same thing. We need both the House and the Senate to vote to expand LPFM if we want to make this powerful medium available in more communities, so now is the time to start calling our legislators!

Here’s the problem: even though the Senate bill was introduced by a Republican, Republicans in the House are reluctant to support it. (The National Association of Broadcasters spends a lot of money on campaign contributions!) And without Republican support in the House, any bill is dead.

Here’s the opportunity: Rep. Cliff Stearns represents the Congressional district that includes the western half of Gainesville, including the UF campus. He’s a Republican — and even better — he’s a member of the House Telecommunications subcommittee.

If a Republican on the Telecom subcommittee supports this bill, that sends a powerful message to the rest of the party — and it might go a long way to getting the bill passed. In fact, activists from the Prometheus Radio Project, a group that supports low-power FM, met with Stearns’ aide last week. Now Stearns’ constituents need to call and tell him how they feel.

We Need Your Help

Your phone call — especially if you live in Stearns’ district — could mean the difference between a bipartisan bill that allows thousands more stations to be built, and a longer wait for the radio our communities deserve.

First, you need to know what district you live in. If you are registered to vote in Gainesville, you either live in district 3 (your representative is Corrine Brown) or district 6 (your representative is Cliff Stearns). If you don’t know what district you live in, you can check your voter registration card, or input your ZIP+4 code to this site. (If you’re registered to vote outside of Gainesville, that site will give you the contact information for your representative.)

Here’s the contact information for Stearns and Brown:

Cliff Stearns (district 6)
phone: (202) 225-5744
fax: (202) 225-3973

Corrine Brown (district 3)
phone: (202) 225-0123
fax: (202) 225-2256

Call any time during normal business hours. Plan what you’re going to say before you call (see below). When you call, say: “Hi, I’m a constituent and I’d like to register a comment.”

If you’re calling Stearns, say something like this in your own words — “I’m calling to urge Rep. Stearns to co-sponsor a bill that will be introduced by Rep. Slaughter of New York later this month, the Community Radio Act of 2005. The bill that Rep. Slaughter and others will introduce would expand the amount of radio spectrum available to low-power FM radio. I know that low-power FM advocates met with David Hickey last week, on Wednesday the 8th. I’m calling as a constituent to register my support for low-power FM. In fact, there are low-power FM radio stations in Rep. Stearns’ district — in Gainesville, Ocala, and McIntosh. I want more communities to have the quality radio service that low-power FM makes possible. The House should act to implement the FCC’s recommendation to allot more frequencies for low-power FM. I urge Rep. Stearns to co-sponsor the bill that Rep. Slaughter will introduce, the Community Radio Act of 2005.”

If you’re calling someone else, say something like this in your own words — “I’m calling to urge Rep. X to co-sponsor a bill that will be introduced by Rep. Slaughter of New York later this month, the Community Radio Act of 2005. The bill would expand the amount of radio spectrum available to low-power FM radio. I want more communities to have the quality radio service that low-power FM makes possible. The House should act to implement the FCC’s recommendation to allot more frequencies for low-power FM radio. I urge Rep. X to co-sponsor the bill that Rep. Slaughter will introduce, the Community Radio Act of 2005.”

After the call, send a fax or email saying, “I called your office yesterday to register my support for the Community Radio Act of 2005 that Rep. Slaughter of New York will introduce this month… I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you in support of this important bill … Again, I urge you to co-sponsor the Community Radio Act of 2005.” Include your street address with your signature, so they know you’re a constituent.

The Senate Counts, Too

The Senate bill can’t go far without a House companion, but that doesn’t mean the Senate doesn’t need your help, too.

Bill Nelson
phone: 202-224-5274
fax: 202-228-2183

Mel Martinez
phone: (202) 224-3041
fax: (202) 228-5171

Call any time during normal business hours. Plan what you’re going to say before you call (see below). When you call, say: “Hi, I’m a constituent and I’d like to register a comment.”

Then: “I’m calling in support of Senate Bill 312, the Local Community Radio Act of 2005. The bill would expand the amount of radio spectrum available to low-power FM radio. I want more communities to have the quality radio service that low-power FM makes possible. The Senate should act to implement the FCC’s recommendation to allot more frequencies for low-power FM radio. Senate Bill 312 has bi-partisan support, and I urge the Senator to co-sponsor it.”

After the call, send a fax or email saying, “I called your office yesterday to register my support for S. 312 … I appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you in support of this important bill … Again, I urge you to support S. 312.” Include your street address with your signature, so they know you’re a constituent.

Thank You

By taking a few minutes to read this email and call, you’re taking a powerful stand. Low-power FM gives communities the power to have their own voice. Remember: we have wireless broadband Internet, but not everyone does. Analog media is still important, and low-power FM is a great tool for free culture.

FYI: In Florida

According to lpfmdatabase.com, 69 permits have been granted to construct low-power FM radio stations in the state of Florida. Of these, 54 stations have been granted call signs, and 42 stations are on the air. The operators of these stations include churches and other religious organizations, colleges and high schools, cities, state agencies, community groups, and other non-profit organizations. Here are just a few:

Civic Media Center, Gainesville
Suwannee River Fishing Association, Suwannee
Primera Iglesia Bautista, Ocala
Brevard Youth Education Broadcasting, Melbourne
Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida, Immokalee
Ocean Reef Public Radio, Key Largo
New College Student Alliance, Sarasota

These stations are providing a valuable service to their communities — and they wouldn’t be on the air if low-power FM didn’t exist. More non-commercial, community broadcasters means more alternatives to corporate control, more coverage of local issues, more diversity of voices and viewpoints, more opportunities for participation — simply put, more low-power FM means a more participatory media.

We need more stations like these on the air. There is no excuse not to allot more of the radio spectrum for low-power FM. We have to tell Congress to act!

For More Information

Free Press
Prometheus Radio Project
FCC

Spread the Word

If low-power FM radio is important to your religious, non-profit, or political group, feel free to pass this notice along. By taking a few minutes to explain this issue to others, you can make a big impact. The net result is a better, more participatory, more accountable media system for all of us.