My message to NB about the FCC LPFM project. ----- Original message ----- From: "giovanni_re" <john_re(a)fastmail.us> To: "noisebridge-discuss" <noisebridge-discuss(a)lists.noisebridge.net> Subject: [Noisebridge-discuss] low ppwer fm. FCC Date: Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:49:08 -0800 http://slingshot.tao.ca/issue.html?0112007 LPFM Alive Despite Legislation By DJ Rubble On November 30, 2012. the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced implementation of the bipartisan Local Community Radio Act of 2010. The legislation instructs the FCC to license more small, local Low Power FM (LPFM) stations. These stations broadcast on up to 100-watt transmitters, usually with a 3-4 mile signal range. The legislation replaces a 2000 ruling first recognizing LPFM. The 2000 legislation was hailed a groundbreaking victory for unlicensed radio, which had seized the airwaves and refused to be removed. However, the radio industry through inside deals from powerful lobbying arm the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) with the FCC and Congress quickly maneuvered to strategically undermine the process to eliminate even the smallest level of competition for the profiteers. Over a twelve year period the net result is about 800 small, non-profit corporate LPFM stations nationally. Virtually none have been licensed in major urban areas, including none in the Bay area. The majority are rural stations owned by a well-funded national religious network, most others by schools and emergency responders. The result is a corporate jukebox of songs from the top ten record labels, AP wire service briefs, and government-funded propaganda from NPR. The current LPFM legislation is again hailed as ground breaking by the media and radio activist organizations that worked hard for passage. It should provide a few more good quality, local stations. But will it help or actually hurt LPFM in the context of the overall goals of the original movement, which started out as "pirate radio"? ... _______________________________________________ Noisebridge-discuss mailing list Noisebridge-discuss(a)lists.noisebridge.net https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss --- Join the BerkeleyTIP-Global mail list - http://groups.google.com/group/BerkTIPGlobal. All Freedom SW, HW & Culture.