Prometheus Radio Project took a victory lap, Free Press applauded and NAB supported the FCC action to promote low power FM and clear the backlog of FM translator applications that have been sitting around the FCC since 2003.
Dennis Wharton spoke for NAB, and did not put a serious dent in his supply of words. He said, “We support faithful implementation of LCRA and look forward to working with the Commission and the LPFM community in the future.”
Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron stated, “This is another huge victory and step forward for the people who fought for over a decade to bring low power radio to the country. It’s the culmination of tireless work and an unwavering commitment to seeing this through. We applaud our friends at the Prometheus Radio Project for leading the way, and champions like Representatives Mike Doyle and Lee Terry and Senators Maria Cantwell and John McCain who backed the Local Community Radio Act. We look forward to continuing to work with them to spread the word about the opportunities for new voices to get on the air.”
Last words go to Prometheus and its supporters:
“Finally, communities without a voice on the airwaves will have a chance to control their own local media,” said Brandy Doyle, Policy Director for the Prometheus Radio Project. “Thanks to the significant step forward today, we will see a wave of new radio stations that better reflects the diversity of our country.”
“Radio is a great tool for reaching working people – it’s free to listen, easy to produce, and people can often tune in on the job or while doing housework,” said Milena Velis, Media Organizer and Educator with Philadelphia-based Media Mobilizing Project. “In Pennsylvania, we’re facing big challenges, from education cuts to rural poverty to environmentally destructive shale drilling. We see community radio as a way to bring people together and create solutions from the ground up.”
“Just like New Mexico needs clean and healthy air, land, and water, we need healthy media, too,” said Rusita Avila of the Media Literacy Project in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “We’re excited because community radio can give us a place to tell our stories and speak our truth.”
