LPFM news update 12-2000

FCC announces the new LPFM filing window and Congress kills hundreds of
community radio stations

the latest LPFM news from the Partytown Streaming Network

The FCC's Mass Media Bureau announced Friday December 15th, the third
filing window has been scheduled to open on January 16th and close
January 22 of 2001 for the following states and territories:

American Samoa, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, New York,
Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

All new applicants are required to electronically file FORM 318 within
the 7 days given for the filing window. A public notice will be issued
within the next 3 months to announce the fourth filing window. For more
information visit the FCC's website at fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC

On the same day, Congress passed legislation that would severly limit
the number of possible LPFM stations across the country. The House and
Senate voted to pass the anti-LPFM legislation introduced by Senator Rod Gramms as part of the omnibus budget bills. The large corporate broadcast lobbyists may have politically succeded
in keeping hundreds of community, educational, religious
and local government stations off the air.
However many microradio enthusiasts aren't letting fat cat politics get
in their way of diverse radio programming. Many have vowed to go on the
air regardless of the legal outcome of LPFM.

Some LPFM proponents feel that the nation has been slighted and cheated
by the powers that are supposed to protect the publics interest.
Others feel it's a crime equal to treason in which politicians have
betrayed the trust of the people by selling out to the power hungry
media conglomerates. It is uncertain how the future of LPFM will unfold
for the few who successfully make it through the complex hoops now
required. The will of the people has continuously been ignored by
Congressional representatives in favor of campaign contributions from
big spending broadcast lobbyists. Politicians continue to perpetuate the
corrupt system by spending billions in campagin advertising which
funnels back into the super-sized pockets of the large media
corporations.

This such action taken by Congress to effectively silence community
access to the publics airwaves is a prime example of the corruption
within our system of democracy. Broadcasters were entrusted with the
stewardship of the publics airwaves and were responsible for a
commitment to public service in exchange for the use of the airwaves.
The public service commitment has all but dissapeared while bottom line
pressures of increased profit has risen as the primary focus of
broadcasters.

The high-powered broadcasters have bribed Congress to steal the publics
right to the airwaves, but no one knows about it because of the control
these broadcasters have over the media outlets. Individual stations
aren't willing to take a risk and cover stories that are this
scandalous, especially when it involves it's own network.
A revolution is begining, the next war will have to be fought on the
media's own playing field. It's important for the public to educate
themselves and others to the current coup that is taking place right
under American's noses. Corporate media is killing America, and it's
time for America to rise up and fight back!

Come to http://www.partytown.com/cmp/
for more news about corporate media control.
Partytown Streaming Network.

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Update 12-17-00

from the Media Access Project website)
12-15-00
Anti-LPFM Legislation Final
As of Friday evening December 15, it appears all but final that the
anti-LPFM language contained in the Grams legislation will pass both the
House and Senate as part of the omnibus budget bills.

Under the legislation, the previous interference rules will go (BACK) into
effect. Thus, there will be some low power radio, but it will be cut
back by 80%.

More information about the effects of this legislation and pro-low power
radio plans will be posted shortly.

Plus news from the FCC , ( delayed ) LPFM application window number 3 will open soon !!!
FCC to Accept Low Power FM Applications January 16 through January
22, 2001 for American Samoa, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho,
Missouri, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
If you live in one of these states get off your butt and start your low power station paper work NOW ! ! !

(old)news on LPFM 12-7-2000

While the lame duck Senate has reconviened to work on the budget, LPFM has been given the back burner in light of the battle for president.Who ends up in the White House could directly affect how Low Power FM radio progresses. While the Senate is busy trying to get their candidate in office,the current President has sent a message to congress by vetoing the budget appropriations bill that contained anti-LPFM legislation.

As it stands now LPFM is in limbo just like the next presidential administration. Meanwhile the FCC is still sorting through the estimated 1200 current LPFM applications that have already been received. The FCC has also been ordered to delay any new announcement for upcoming filing windows. The third filing window which was to have been announced already, was put on hold along with the remaining windows. It's not known how many LPFM construction permits will be granted regardless of the NAB's and NPR's congressional move to quell community radio. The U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia was slated to hear oral arguments on November 28th in regards to a lawsuit the NAB brought against the FCC over LPFM. The NAB has also said they may drop the suit depending on the outcome of the anti-LPFM legislation still pending in congress.

LPFM supporters should be writing letters to President Clinton asking him to Veto any appropriations bill that contains anti-LPFM legislation. Senators on the Commerce and Justice committee should also be contacted and urged to remove S3020 from the appropriations bill and give it due process. Tell them they are not doing their job representing the people because they are too busy listening to the soft money from lobbyists and large corporations. You should ask your congressional representatives "Why" they are trying to protect the corporate interests instead of the publics. Trent Lott should also be sent your letters and phone calls as he helped to orchestrate sliding the anti-LPFM legislation through as a rider on the Commerce, State and Justice appropriations bill.

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