lpfm radio bill in u.s.

February, 24 2009


PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Prometheus Radio Project (610)-761-5414
Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490 x22

Low Power Community Radio: Legislation draws Bipartisan support

Members of Congress and community organizations call for more Low Power Radio nationwide

WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress, public interest advocates and community organizations will hold a national conference call tomorrow to discuss the reintroduction of the bipartisan “Local Community Radio Act” that would create opportunities for hundreds of low-power, community radio stations in cities, towns and suburbs across the United States. The sponsors of this legislation, Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.) will join the call to explain the details of this bill.

WHAT: National Conference Call on Community Radio Legislation

WHEN: Wednesday, February 25 12 p.m. ET

WHO:

Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.)

Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.)

Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Prometheus Radio Project

Shawn Campbell, Chicago Independent Radio Project

Michael Bracy, Future of Music Coalition

Ben Scott, Free Press


*** Call this number: (888) 792-8352 Call-in Code- 87422899 ***


Low Power FM stations are community-based, noncommercial radio stations that broadcast to neighborhoods and small towns. LPFM licenses make radio station ownership possible for schools, churches, labor unions, local governments, emergency providers and other nonprofit groups to directly communicate with their local community. In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission began to issue LPFM licenses. However, soon after, Congress passed an unnecessary piece of legislation that drastically limited the radio spectrum available to LPFM stations. Since then, thousands of applications submitted to the FCC have been dismissed because of these limitations.


"Diverse, informative, thought-provoking, locally oriented programming has been dramatically restricted across the country by the current federal laws governing the separation between broadcast frequencies," said Congressman Doyle. "Enactment of this legislation would improve the quality of life in communities across the country by providing new and different programming -- especially programming addressing local interests and events -- to these communities."


Last time the “Local Community Radio Act” was introduced, it garnered much grassroots support -- with nearly 100 cosponsors in the House. The Senate version of the bill, sponsored last session by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) and co-sponsored by then-Senator Barack Obama, unanimously passed out of the Commerce Committee. The Senate is expected to reintroduce the bill this spring.


The Prometheus Radio Project, a group that helps build LPFM stations across the country, is the leading advocate for community radio. Campaign Director Cory Fischer-Hoffman notes, “As media outlets are increasingly consolidated local voices are being forced off the airwaves; it is time for Congress to remove the unfair restrictions that stand in the way of community organizations, religious groups, students and senior citizens from getting their own LPFM stations. In this time of economic crisis, it is crucial that communities have access to important information and educational programming featuring local news, emergency information and community matters. Expanding LPFM is a concrete action that will provide this important service to towns and cities across the country.”


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