It’s been a long haul for public interest group Prometheus Radio Project, including a major date with the Third Circuit Court and dealings with Congress and the FCC. PRP is understandably happy to see the FCC move LPFM forward, as was Mike Doyle (D-PA), one of the legislators who had a hand in making it happen.
The proponents of LPFM were delighted with the FCC proposal that assures room for new LPFMs in all markets, particularly larger ones where to date they have mostly been shut out. LCRA directs the FCC to treat FM translators applicants fairly as well, but a minimum number of slots for LPFM must be created in a given market before translators get the nod.
“I am delighted to see that the FCC is moving forward to carry out legislation I championed for so many years,” said Doyle. “This is a major victory for community radio, and I urge the FCC to license as many LPFM stations as possible.”
PRP’s Brandy Doyle added, “Today the FCC starts to redeem the promise made to thousands of community groups and national organizations that successfully fought to pass the Local Community Radio Act. The Act requires the FCC to ensure channels for low power stations, and we believe a market-specific solution could accomplish that.”
Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, also weighed in, saying, “Bringing low power radio to urban areas will help ensure that all segments of our society will have a voice on the public airwaves. This is an important goal because of the powerful role the media plays in the democratic process, as well as in shaping perceptions about who we are as individuals and as a nation.”
Common Frequency Technical Director Todd Urick commented, “We are elated that the FCC is taking another look at this issue. We have always thought that the FCC needed a more practical way of balancing rural and urban usage of LPFM and translator channels. Today’s rulemaking appropriately relies on technical analysis to determine spectrum allocation.”
