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Help RFNH get on the air
We are officially a 501(c)(3) Organization!
Yes, that takes forever…but now we may begin the real work of getting the equipment we need to get on the air…if all goes well by 2013 (see timeline)
FCC Timeline for Low Power Community Radio
Timeline…We are getting closer!…But there’s still a ways to go…
We are officially a 501(c)(3) Organization! »« FCC Chairman Pledges “Swift Action to Open the Dial”
FCC Chairman Pledges “Swift Action to Open the Dial”
The FCC is busy working on new low-power FM rules in light of December’s Community Radio Act of 2010 that allows elimination of third-adjacent channel protections for full-power FMs to fit new LPFMs on the band.
Audio Division Chief Peter Doyle said, “We’ve done extensive market-by-market analysis” about where new low-power stations could be allocated. The protection changes will “provide meaningful opportunities for LPFMs” even in large markets, he told attendees of “The FCC And You” session at the NAB Show in Las Vegas.
It sounds like the commission is rethinking its proposed FM translator cap for frozen translator applications, previously announced in anticipation of opening a new LPFM application window.
Some parties argued the cap is ineffective to provide spectrum relief in the largest markets, and unnecessary in the smaller markets where’s there’s ample spectrum for both LPFMs and translators, Doyle said . He added that if the FCC agrees, “It means we’ll have to go back to the drawing board and think about a translator processing policy that does a better job of ensuring that licenses will be available in the largest markets.”
Asked after the session by Radio World when the LPFM rulemaking could be completed, Doyle said the item “is deep into the process” and he hopes its ready “in weeks, not months.”
FCC Timeline for Low Power Community Radio »« Advocates rejoice as Obama signs Local Community Radio Act
Advocates rejoice as Obama signs Local Community Radio Act
On Wednesday, President Obama signed the Local Community Radio Act, making room on the radio spectrum for smaller, community-based radio stations.
The act passed the Senate on Dec. 20 and represents the end of a decade-long struggle between local radio advocates and the National Association of Broadcasters.
The provisions were in place to prevent interference, and largely kept low-power FM stations in rural areas where airwaves were more open. Prior to this act, low-power radio stations were only allowed to occupy frequencies within four dial clicks of a major radio station, officially called fourth-adjacent frequencies. Community radio advocates such as the Prometheus Radio Project said that placed too much of a restriction on the spectrum, and that more frequencies could be opened without interference issues.
The new act allows low-power stations on third-adjacent stations, or within three clicks of a major station. The two sides reached a compromise over language, and on Dec. 17, the NAB sent a letter of support to members of the House Energy and Commerce committee.
The NAB also issued a statement in support of the measure Dec. 17 after the House passed its version of the act.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said he would act quickly to put the measure into action, saying, “The FCC will take swift action to open the dial to new low-power radio stations and the valuable local service they provide.”
Danielle Chynoweth, director of strategic planning at Prometheus Radio, said that she anticipates that the act will allow low-power FM stations to open in urban areas such as Washington, D.C., where the spectrum had been deemed too crowded under the old rules.
FCC Chairman Pledges “Swift Action to Open the Dial” »« S.592 PASSES!
S.592 PASSES!
Senate Joins House in Passing the Local Community Radio Act:
Thousands of community groups rejoice at new opportunity for locally owned media
WASHINGTON, DC – Today a bill to expand community radio nationwide – the Local Community Radio Act – passed the U.S. Senate, thanks to the bipartisan leadership of Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John McCain (R-AZ). This follows Friday afternoon’s passage of the bill in the House of Representatives, led by Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Lee Terry (R-NE). The bill now awaits the President’s signature.
These Congressional champions for community radio joined with the thousands of grassroots advocates and dozens of public interest groups who have fought for ten years to secure this victory for local media. In response to overwhelming grassroots pressure, Congress has given the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a mandate to license thousands, of new community stations nationwide. This bill marks the first major legislative success for the growing movement for a more democratic media system in the U.S.
“A town without a community radio station is like a town without a library,” said Pete Tridish of the Prometheus Radio Project, the group which has led the fight to expand community radio for ten years. “Many a small town dreamer – starting with a few friends and bake sale cash – has successfully launched a low power station, and built these tiny channels into vibrant town institutions that spotlight school board elections, breathe life into the local music scene, allow people to communicate in their native languages, and give youth an outlet to speak.”
The Local Community Radio Act will expand the low power FM (LPFM) service created by the FCC in 2000 – a service the FCC created to address the shrinking diversity of voices on the radio dial. Over 800 LPFM stations, all locally owned and non-commercial, are already on the air. The stations are run by non-profit organizations, local governments, churches, schools, and emergency responders.
The bill repeals earlier legislation which had been backed by big broadcasters, including the National Association of Broadcasters. This legislation, the Radio Broadcast Preservation Act of 2000, limited LPFM radio to primarily rural areas. The broadcast lobby groups claimed that the new 100 watt stations could somehow create interference with their own stations, a claim disproven by a Congressionally-mandated study in 2003. (more…)
Advocates rejoice as Obama signs Local Community Radio Act »« The Corporate Radio Lobby is Holding the Dial Hostage!
The Corporate Radio Lobby is Holding the Dial Hostage!
The corporate radio lobby is blocking passage of a bill that will bring new choices and voices to the radio dial.
Call the National Association of Broadcasters TODAY and tell them stand aside!
S.592 PASSES! »« Tick, tick, tick. LPFM expansion bill languishes due to Senatorial nonsense
Tick, tick, tick. LPFM expansion bill languishes due to Senatorial nonsense
Like comedy, democracy ain’t pretty. It’s been more than a year since the House passed the Local Community Radio Act, but the companion bill in the Senate seems to be jammed up in the sausage grinder.
Although the expansion of LPFM apparently enjoys broad bipartisan support, according to Politico Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso has put a hold on the bill “because he wants to ensure it includes language that distinguishes full-power FM stations from low-power FM stations.”
Let me be entirely honest and clear: I have no idea what it means to “distinguish full-power FM stations from low-power FM stations.” My best guess is that Barrasso wants to be sure that LPFM stations are treated as a secondary service, which means they have to give way if a full-power station wants to move or increase. However, this is already true, baked into the LPFM service from the very start. In which case I can only conclude that Barraso is looking for any excuse–no matter how lame–to keep the bill from a vote until the end of this Congressional session. This is the third hold the bill has been subjected to.
The Prometheus Radio Project is doing its best to unjam things, urging Wyoming residents to give their senator a call to politely urge him to let the Local Community Radio Act have a fair and democratic hearing on the Senate floor.
The Corporate Radio Lobby is Holding the Dial Hostage! »« After 10 years, more low power radio is closer than ever
After 10 years, more low power radio is closer than ever
From: http://prometheusradio.org/node/2376
After 10 years, our movement of organizers, leaders in arts and immigration rights, youth, families, and elders in every corner of the country, are extremely close to passing a bill that would expand low power FM radio to all our communities.
In 2000, low power FM radio was limited from most big cities and smaller towns, when the big broadcasters pushed Congress to pass legislation permitting LPFM only in rural places with almost-empty FM dials. Then the FCC proved there was plenty of room for LPFM in big cities and smaller communities – and our march to pass a bill bringing LPFM to everyone who wants it grew and grew.
Because of the pressure you put on legislators, the House of Representatives passed the Local Community Radio Act last December! Soon after, the Senate Commerce Committee passed its version of the bill, and ‘hotlined’ it, so it could quickly get to the President’s desk.
When a few Senators expressed concerns with the LPFM bill – a process called “holding” – the bill was kept in limbo, unable to proceed. Even worse – the rules of the Senate meant that the “holders” weren’t public – we had to call dozens of offices to find out who had concerns with low power FM. But community leaders like you – church pastors, emergency responders, and others – were able to lift a number of holds on the bill.
Of 100 Senators’ offices, 97 say they are not holding the bill. If you live or have friends in Wyoming, Kentucky, or Kansas, let us know, so your Senators can hear from you that you support low power FM radio and expanding it nationwide. And if you don’t live in those states, your voices matter too as we come to the finish line for bringing LPFM home! Many other Senators and House members will need to stand up and stand strong to make sure LPFM passes this year. Email danielle@prometheusradio.org to let her know if you can speak up for Senate Bill 592, the Local Community Radio Act!
Tick, tick, tick. LPFM expansion bill languishes due to Senatorial nonsense »« S.592 Update
S.592 Update
The Local Community Radio Act has been winding its way through the obscure black box called the Senate as the the hourglass of time continues to trickle down. In a Senate process called “unanimous consent hotline” the bill has passed the Democratic side and is now being considered on the Republican side. We are so close, we cannot let up now! Help us push the bill over the finish line by contributing $25 today. Together we can open up the airwaves to hundreds of new stations across the US!
After 10 years, more low power radio is closer than ever »« S.592 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar
