FORWARD- LOW POWER RADIO ON THE RISE
Cory Fischer-Hoffman
Dear friends,
*Yes, Low Power Radio is rising! * This morning, NYTimes.com featured
low power radio <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/08/us/08radio.html> as
it's *top* headline and as a feature in the A section of its print edition.
Please help spread the word by posting the story to listservs, Twitter
and Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/kucsfu
Props to Benton <http://www.benton.org/node/27686>, URB
<http://www.urb.com/permalink/7255/Want-Your-Own-Radio-Station?.html>,
and Free Press <http://www.freepress.net/node/72433> for being so on the
ball. Now it's /your/ turn! Feel free to send us your links:
dani...@prometheusradio.org <mailto:dani...@prometheusradio.org>.
*The Local Community Radio Act is poised to pass, which will create
thousands more access points for local voices to be heard and bring low
power radio to urban areas. *
We need to all push together to pass this legislation! Here is an
update from Prometheus Radio Project and how you can help.
BACKGROUND
The Local Community Radio Act affirms the decision by the FCC in 2000 to
allow non-commercial low power stations to fill spaces on the radio dial
between full power stations. Unfortunately corporate interests stepped
in and convinced Congress to prohibit these small stations in cities
dense with stations, even though the FCC's own report that showed there
would be no interference. Still, over 800 low power stations were able
to go on the air, many operated by civil rights groups, schools, farm
worker organizations, environmentalists, cultural organizations, and
others, proving the importance of locally controlled media. Since 2005
media reform advocates have been fighting to pass the Local Community
Radio Act to expand LPFM. Read more background
<http://prometheusradio.org/take_action/>.
STATUS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY RADIO ACT
The NY Times article follows a grassroots push for the legislation this
summer - when hundreds called their legislators and dozens held
in-district meetings. In 2009, this bipartisan legislation has moved
further than ever before. The Act has 77 co-sponsors in the House and 7
in the Senate, many of whom serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee
and Subcommittee on Telecommunication and Internet and Technology, where
the bill was heard for the first time in June. The Act has the support
of both chairs to move it from committee. Senator Waxman, chair of the E
& C, has been an avid supporter since LPFM was created. The bill is in
a unique position with the new administration; Obama himself was a
co-sponsor of this legislation.
OUTREACH EFFORTS
Creating more radio stations means more power to more people, but only
if social justice and community organizations are prepared to take
advantage of it. That's why Prometheus is launching a significant
outreach effort to mobilize the grassroots to apply for licenses and
build new stations. This Spring, we will focus on Latino and immigrant
communities, touring 15 cities in 45 days, partnering local grassroots
organizations to prepare groups to apply. We are looking for existing
stations and experts to counsel groups who want to apply. If you can
volunteer, please email stat...@prometheusradio.org
<mailto:stat...@prometheusradio.org>.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
1) Spread the word!
Post the NY Times story to listservs, Twitter and Facebook:
http://tinyurl.com/ <goog_1252438852100>kucsfu <http://tinyurl.com/kucsfu>
2) Keep up the pressure!
Let your Congressperson know
<https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=299>:
Now is the time for more radio!
3) Become a sustaining funder for Prometheus!
Sign up to donate <http://prometheusradio.org/donate/> $5-50 a month, or
a one time donation, so we can ramp up efforts to expand people-powered
radio!
thanks!
Cory and Danielle
from the Prometheus Radio Project Team