The LPFM Fiasco
source: Lip Magazine

After first announcing tentative plans on January 28, 1999 for legalizing low power radio and allowing for a lengthy year long period of public comment, study and deliberation, FCC Chairman William Kennard floated a proposal on January 19, 2000 which provided new rules that envisioned the licensing of an estimated 1,000 new Low Power FM (LPFM) stations in the range of 10-100 watts. Yet, by the end of last year, after 1200 applications had already been filed in the 20 states initially eligible to participate in the LPFM sweepstakes, Congress caved in to lobbying pressure from both the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and National Public Radio (NPR), and gutted this already modest FCC proposal for a new LPFM radio service.

Visit the story link to read the complete analysis of recent LPFM events written by author and activist Ron Sakolsky.

posted on January 25, 2001 06:54 PM