From douglas@scn.org Mon Apr 26 12:48:52 1999 Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 12:18:34 -0800 (PST) From: Doug Schuler To: local-computer-activists@scn.org, scn@scn.org Subject: Micro Community Radio or CORPORATE radio?!?! [ urgent!! ] ---- Please forward to interested colleagues and lists --- Dear Supporters of Democratic Media: As many of you know the FCC is taking public comments on the issue legalizing low-power FM radio broadcasting in the U.S. The last date that they'll be taking comments is looming closely: April 12, 1999. Although there is a great interest in creating non-profit, community radio from all parts of the country, the FCC is apparently not interested in their original mandate to regulate radio "in the public interest, by the least restrictive means necessary." They are planning to legalize microradio but AUCTION off the licenses thus missing an excellent opportunity to develop truly democratic radio. There is at least one Seattle group who is working on this issue. Community Powered Radio: URL: http://www.gurlpages.com/activism/cpr/ (and they have lots of good links from there...) CPR's e-mail is cpr@gurlmail.com Contact the FCC -- BEFORE April 12 and tell them you want legal, non-commercial, democratic, community-based microradio! Chair William Kennard (wkennard@fcc.gov) Susan Ness (sness@fcc.gov) Harold Furchgott-Roth (hfurchtg@fcc.gov) Michael Powell (mpowell@fcc.gov) Gloria Tristani (gtristan@fcc.gov) [ It is recommended that you send a note to each commisioner individually ] Federal Communications Commission 445 12 Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Thanks! --- Doug BTW, here is an article from a recent WSJ... BATTLE OF THE AIRWAVES Issue: Microradio What do a Hispanic pastor, an alternative musician, a New Jersey policeman, and some blind cooks have in common? They all are eager to explore the possibilities of microradio. The FCC is considering a proposal to license a new class of small, low-power radio stations. While the cost of operating a full scale radio station is prohibitively expensive for most individuals, less than $1,000 is needed to get a mircoradio station up and running. Diverse communities nationwide have exhibited interest in obtaining low-power licenses, but existing broadcasters have pledged to put a fight to prevent new stations from infringing on their turf. With help from powerful allies in Congress, the National Association of Broadcasters has managed to temporally block further FCC action to opening up the radio spectrum to community and neighborhood voices. [SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (B1), AUTHOR: Kathy Chen] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From the Listowner * * * * * * * * * * * * . To unsubscribe from this list, send a message to: majordomo@scn.org In the body of the message, type: unsubscribe local-computer-activists END