Low Power FM Radio:
A Real Solution to the Problem of Media Consolidation Congress Can Support Localism in Media by Supporting Low Power Radio! The Low Power FM (LPFM) radio service was adopted by the Federal Communications Commission in January of 2000. The LPFM radio license, which is for non-commercial operation only, is available to high schools, labor unions, churches, towns, and community groups of all kinds. About 200 of these stations, broadcasting at 100 watts or less, and over a radius of just a few miles, are on the air serving communities across the country right now. Many more groups are in the license application process and will be on the air within the next year.
Widespread Public Support The proposal to create a low power radio service received support from thousands of potential broadcasters, including schools, churches, musicians, engineers and people from all walks of life. The only significant opposition came from powerful and large incumbent broadcasters. Congress Curtailed
Low-Power's Potential Reach In late 2000, because of pressure from existing broadcasters, Congress enacted the "Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act" which forced the FCC to adopt exorbitant protection standards for new LPFM stations. As the result of this act, new LPFM stations could not be placed on frequencies that were three channels removed from an existing station -- and about 75% of opportunities for new LPFM stations were eliminated. Densely populated areas were particularly affected, leaving only one new low power station available in the fifty most populous American cities. New Independent Study Clears
the Air on Bogus Interference Claims However, at the time, Congress also required the FCC to commission an outside organization to conduct field tests to resolve the issue of LPFM's potential for third adjacent channel interference. After three years of waiting, the study, administered by The MITRE Corporation, was released on July 13, 2003. The study not only demonstrates that low power stations cause no significant interference to existing stations, but also recommends that the third channel adjacency restriction be lifted -- potentially opening the way for many hundreds of new low power FM radio stations. (See the Prometheus Radio Project press release on the MITRE study.) Local Communities
Are Clamoring For a Voice People around the country are concerned about media consolidation. At a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing on localism and public interest in the media, witnesses testified to their concerns over what happens when national broadcasting companies control local media outlets. Local news coverage - including coverage of electoral candidates - suffers. Local people and their stories are not sufficiently represented. And, with communities unable to easily comment upon, let alone control the content aired by national broadcasters, concerns about indecent programming are on the rise. Low power FM radio is a concrete way to counter this trend toward media consolidation. LPFM stations are locally owned and operated, and their programming is geared specifically towards the communities they serve. Congress has the opportunity to take action to allow for the expansion of the LPFM service, thus opening up the airwaves to many more communities nationwide. Only Congress can make this happen. Support localism in media: support LPFM radio. Community-Based Low Power FM:
A Success Story Low power FM has been a success, in the places where it has been allowed to exist. Of the 200 new stations that are up and running, here are a few examples of how low power FM radio contributes to communities around the nation:  KOCZ, 103.7 FM
The Southern Development Foundation
Opelousas, Louisiana
The Southern Development Foundation (SDF) works for school reform, community supported agriculture, and neighborhood economic development. They also host the world's largest traditional Zydeco music festival. The SDF is the first civil rights organization in the United States ever to own its own radio station. They host current affairs talk shows with many major politicians around the state, musical events, and religious programming. Their executive director, John Freeman, says, "We pride ourselves on being part of this democratic project."  KRBS, 107.1 FM:
The Bird Street Media Project
Oroville, California
This station uses a variety format to highlight the diversity of their small California community. Oroville is a town of 13,000 that has been losing its population to suburban sprawl. Clear Channel had purchased the only radio station in town, dismantled it and moved the license to another town. The organizers see the station as a way to bring people back to the downtown district and a keystone in downtown revitalization plans. Weekly programming includes a call-in legal advice show, two shows dedicated to veterans' issues, radio theater, children's stories, and a wide variety of music.  WEES, 107.9 FM
Ocean City, Maryland
The Edinboro Early School
This station's goal is to recreate the flavor of an early 50's radio station. They offer family-oriented programming focusing on music of the fifties and early sixties including three hours of programming a day for children from 3-5 years old. The station itself is based in The Gold Coast shopping mall, with glass walls on three sides of the broadcast booth so community members can see what� happening in the station. Other programming includes: real estate and finance talk shows; an inter-faith church news bulletin board; field broadcasts from historical sites; and a music show hosted by a former ABC executive who plays records dating back to the 1920s. The station was built under the leadership of John Gerbracht, a retired electrical engineer who worked for the federal government for 33 years. Community Radio for Some  Center for Hmong Arts and Talent
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The FCC's engineers found five frequencies available for LPFM in the Minnneapolis area. After Minnesota Senator Grams legislation passed, there wasn't a single radio frequency available in Minneapolis. Lee Vang of the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent had hoped to establish an LPFM station to serve the large Hmong community in Minneapolis: "The airwaves belong to all and [an LPFM station would] give voice to those who have no voice. We are the only Hmong organization in Minnesota, possibly in the world, that focuses exclusively on the arts. Radio is extremely important to our community because 95% of Hmong are illiterate."  Latino Communities
in Fresno Are Silenced
Currently, only a few short hours of local programming address the Latino communities of Fresno, California. El Comite de los Pobres had hoped to provide bilingual coverage of local issues affecting Latino workers and farmers. They were just one of many Fresno organizations applying for a license on the only open frequency in town -- until Congress closed off the entire FM band for Fresno.  Gainsville
Florists Get Squashed
The Newtown Florist Club wanted an LPFM station to educate the public about environmental justice in their hometown of Gainesville, Georgia. They also hoped to build stronger community in Gainesville by opening their station to young people from all over town, so they could work together on a common project. If, as the MITRE study recommends, restrictions are lifted on third channel adjacency for new frequencies, The Center for Hmong Art and Talent -- and many other groups like it - could receive licenses to broadcast to their communities. Congress has the Power
to Bring Low-Power FM Radio Into More Communities After many hundreds of thousands of American citizens told their legislators and regulators at the FCC that they supported ownership limits on the corporate media, members of Congress are becoming aware of the need to address media issues. It will take Congressional action to put low power radio back on track, serving America's communities in ways that major, consolidated broadcasters are failing to do. Low power radio is one of the antidotes to the effects of media concentration that the FCC has unleashed. Nationwide, outrage is growing over the control big broadcasters have over the news and other programming we see on our TV screens and hear on our radios. This issue is only going to grow in importance to the public. We know there is room on America's airwaves for the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent, and the thousands of other disappointed LPFM applicants around the country. Support their right to be heard. Support localism in media. Support low power FM radio. |
