Low Power FM Gets Great News! June 8, 2009
Posted by MelissaHK in radio.Tags: community-media, lpfm, policy
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Congratulations to Low Power FM (LPFM) stations and supporters in the United States!
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Broadcasters lose in court over low-power FM radio
By Matthew Lasar, Ars Technica
Supporters of low-power FM (LPFM) radio won a victory on Friday when a federal appeals court rejected a lawsuit to stop the Federal Communications Commissions from protecting LPFM stations from full power station signal interference.
“This is terrific news for the low power radio community,” declared Sakura Saunders of the Prometheus Radio Project, which helps LPFMs. “Now, these stations can focus on serving their local communities, rather than live in fear of displacement due to the whims of their full-powered neighbors.”
On the other hand, the advocacy group that defended the LPFM service was circumspect about the win. “The decision in the courts merely protects the status quo,” noted the Media Access Project in a statement sent to Ars. “Congress still must pass legislation to allow more low-power FM stations to operate nationwide.”
There’s also the question of how to ensure the funding these stations need to more effectively serve their signal areas. More about that later, though. First let’s look at the nuts and bolts of this case.
US Legistlators seeking to establish Local Community Radio Act of 2009 March 25, 2009
Posted by MelissaHK in government, media, radio.Tags: community-media, lpfm, media, policy, politics
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Something I meant to post last month. Good luck, US LPFM!!
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From Free Press Action Fund:
The Local Community Radio Act of 2009 (H.R. 1147) was just introduced in the House. The Act nearly passed in the last Congress with the support of more than 100 members. With just a little urging from you, your representative will support the bill in this Congress and help usher in a new era of better radio: Tell Congress to Open Up the Radio Dial
This Act would open up the airwaves to more Low Power FM (LPFM) radio stations, giving people across the country a chance to break into radio. It would bring thousands of new voices to a radio dial that’s too often a megaphone for Big Media. Please get your representative on board by clicking below and signing the letter: Tell Congress: The Time for Better Radio Is Now
Rural communities from Ringgold, Ga., to Woodburn, Ore., have benefited tremendously from their own LPFM stations, which bring local perspectives, music, news and information to the public airwaves. The Local Community Radio Act would open urban areas to local radio, too. Organizations like the Chicago Independent Radio Project, which promises to restore local independent programming to the radio dial, are ready to go — but they need your help.
A few companies have dominated the radio dial for too long, muting the voices of so many others. Make sure that Congress makes better radio a reality now.
Onward,
Candace Clement, Campaign Coordinator
Free Press Action Fund: www.freepress.net
Join us on Facebook for updates and alerts on the fight to open up the radio dial.
Learn more about LPFM: www.freepress.net/lpfm
Support our hard-working allies at Prometheus Radio Project: www.prometheusradio.org
Some coverage:
Local Community radio back on the agenda – Louisville Internet Examiner February 26, 10:36 PM
Legislators tee up LPFM – Radio Business Report/Television Business Report – Voice of the Broadcasting Industry
