Rockbites: Under-handed attack on US low-power radio

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Under-handed attack on US low-power radio
19 October 2000

In January the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a plan to license about 1,000 new low power FM radio stations. Such 10 to 100 Watt stations, each with a reach of less than seven miles (11 km), tend to provide an alternative to ratings-driven corporate music programming, offering non-mainstream music and, in particular, locally-produced music.
    The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)—the voice of the major radio networks—opposes the plan ostensibly for technical reasons—reasons the FCC claims are a smokescreen for the unspoken motive of keeping control of the airwaves in as few hands as possible. Washington, DC based non-commercial broadcaster National Public Radio (NPR), which otherwise might appear as an ally of listeners, is in this case an ally of the NAB. They oppose the licensing of new low-power FM stations. In a twist of role clichés, it is the governmental agency, the FCC, that is the primary party not motivated by special interests.
    But now Republican Senator Rod Grams of Minnesota has introduced, in a rather insidious way, legislation that would damage the low-power FM initiative. He’s attached his bill to a much larger appropriations bill likely to pass for other reasons.
    Speaking with the Associated Press, FCC chairman William Kennard said “This is a special interest, protectionist plot. The worst part is that they are trying to kill this service behind closed doors.”
    Responding to NPR’s claim that new microradio stations will interfere with reading services for the blind and that further testing is needed, Kennard said “[This is] an absolute smoke screen. Oftentimes in Washington when people want to kill something, they decide to study or test it.” The FCC has long since conducted extensive testing and claims to have shown that microradio stations operating under the proposed licensing will not cause technical interference with existing services. | Low Power Radio Coalition | | FCC LPFM page | | top of page |

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