Support Low-Power FM

Posted by Maximum Fun on 21st June 2006

John McCain is sponsoring an amendment to a huge telecom bill that would make it easier for community groups to start low-power FM radio stations. Big broadcasters (including, sad to say, NPR) have been fighting this tooth and nail, since so much of their money comes from their ownership (or exclusive license) of space on the dial. They don’t want competition, basically.

If it weren’t for podcasting, consider whether you’d be able to listen to The Sound of Young America, for example. Then consider all the Americans who don’t have access to podcasts, whether it’s because they don’t have the equipment or don’t have the technical skill. Everyone knows how to use a radio, and nearly everyone has one, so it’s an amazing tool to reach small communities, especially in urban areas, who are otherwise underserved by the media. That could mean people in Daly City, California who speak Tagalog, or punk rockers in New York.

Prometheus Radio is a leading voice on this issue, and they’ve put together a great action page. You can find info on how to talk to your representatives about this issue.