This is the story of how big broadcasting is trying to kill the low-power radio star. To most ears, low-power radio -- 10- or 100-watt stations with a broadcast range of a few square miles at most -- sounds like a cheap, easy and democratic way of giving communities a small but potent voice on the dial. But now, 21 months after the Federal Communications Commission first proposed creating a new brand of low-power FM radio stations, the initiative is fighting for its life.
It's being smothered at the request of broadcasters during a last-minute closed-door horse-trading session on Capitol Hill. And holding the pillow on the patient's head is a surprising pair: the powerful National Association of Broadcasters -- and noncommercial National Pubic Radio. (visit the story link to read more of this in-depth article on recent LPFM news from salon.com)