THE AMHERST DECLARATION Adopted September 17, 1998 In Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America We are current broadcasters, future broadcasters and simply concerned citizens. We stand for the proposition that the airwaves of America should reflect the breadth of American life -- not simply the boardrooms of less than a dozen megacorporations. We believe that the fruits of broadened airwaves access will include: Greater diversity in radio ownership; Greater diversity in radio programming; Increased innovation, in the arts and sciences alike; Expanded opportunity for upward mobility; Larger pools of skilled, trained broadcasting personnel; More locally based, locally owned radio stations, offering more coverage of community affairs; AND A step toward restoration of the letter and spirit of the United States Constitution. We are not of one mind on every issue, but we are united in our determination to open the airwaves to small companies, small non-profit organizations and individual citizens. Whatever our other differences may be, these are the core principles which we firmly stand behind: FIRST, radio stations that broadcast at 100 watts or less, which were legal until banned by the Federal Communications Commission in 1978, must be made legal again -- in both commercial and non-commercial forms. This should be done with the greatest speed that is reasonably possible. SECOND, such stations must be reserved solely for small businesses, small non-profits and individual citizens. Licenses for such radio stations should not be awarded automatically to the highest bidders: instead, whether this is done through Commission or Congressional action, such stations should be exempt from any otherwise applicable mandate for radio license auctions. In addition, the law should state clearly that only small businesses, small non-profit organizations and individual citizens are eligible by law to establish or acquire these radio stations. THIRD, whatever wattage and tower height limitations are applied to such radio stations, these power ceilings must be high enough to permit the attraction of a meaningful audience. Full time stations, whether their revenues come from advertisements, donations or a mixture of the two, require and deserve power ceilings which provide a clear opportunity to become financially self-sustaining. Part time stations, if authorized, require and deserve power ceilings which permit effective community service to an urban neighborhood, a small town, a small suburb or the rural population equivalent. FOURTH, room must be left, in this corner of the radio spectrum, for: Totally commercial radio stations; Non-profit radio stations, including stations at educational institutions, which air commercials solely to cover costs; AND Totally non-commercial stations, including stations at educational institutions. All three of these groups have contributions to make, albeit in different ways. We support, unequivocally, the availability of radio station licenses for members of all three groups. We oppose, unequivocally, all efforts to limit licensing to only one or two of these groups. In addition to the core principles we have related, we call for suspension of the current prosecutions of unlicensed broadcasters, except in cases where a knowing refusal to remediate interference problems can be demonstrated. We also call for retroactive amnesty, except in cases of demonstrable and knowing interference, when radio stations of this nature are re-legalized. For our part, we may or may not choose, as individuals, to conduct unlicensed broadcasting from the privacy of our own homes and/or facilities. However, we will not engage in public acts of civil disobedience, or other confrontational behavior, for as long as the Federal Communications Commission is progressing with reasonable speed toward a meaningful, viable and sustainable expansion of access to the public airwaves. The battles for liberty, opportunity and justice, in America and elsewhere, are not limited to the wars or crises of the past. Each generation must invoke again -- in the terms, symbols and context which it finds meaningful -- the same spirit that has established America, maintained America and protected America, along with much of the world, from the designs of madmen and tyrants. The time has come to stand again, respectfully but firmly, for the values which make America America. We urge all who agree with us to stand with us. Signatories: Don Schellhardt of CONNECTICUT William C. Walker of CONNECTICUT Don Hawks of VIRGINIA Joseph D'Alessandro of DELAWARE Mrs. Joseph D'Alessandro of DELAWARE Kevin Lange of INDIANA Scott A. Todd of MINNESOTA John Benjamin of PENNSYLVANIA Charles Coplien of PENNSYLVANIA Rob Rogers of ALABAMA Bill Doerner of TEXAS Maryjane Stelmach Honner of MICHIGAN Andy Lausted of MINNESOTA Urbain Bernier of MICHIGAN Linda C. Bernier of MICHIGAN Richard Borrell of MINNESOTA Hipolito Cuevas of CONNECTICUT Thomas Lowenhaupt of NEW YORK AMERICANS FOR RADIO DIVERSITY, a group headquartered in MINNESOTA -- by UNANIMOUS vote Jerry Szoka of OHIO Claude Stevens of MISSOURI Glenn Austin of MINNESOTA Teri Davis of MICHIGAN John Lentz of WISCONSIN Mike Malone of MASSACHUSETTS Alan Freed of MINNESOTA Adrian Kohn of WASHINGTON, DC Reilly M. Leibhard of MINNESOTA Tom Ness of MICHIGAN Sue Ness of MICHIGAN John Anderson of WISCONSIN Bob DuRivage of MICHIGAN Thomas S. Desmond of TEXAS Pedro Luis Jimenez of CONNECTICUT Sharon McHugh of OHIO Heather Summers of OHIO ... and many many others ... FEEL FREE TO REPRODUCE AND/OR DISTRIBUTE THIS DOCUMENT In any ACCURATE fashion or form for any HONORABLE purpose. Sign it and send photocopies to your Senators and your Representative Hand it out as a flyer at rock concerts Send a copy to your favorite DJs. USE YOUR IMAGINATION.