Media, Culture & Society

Although competing against profit-driven radio stations can be strenuous, people acknolwedge the need for volunteer based radio stations to bring the community together. The Grassroots organization hosted a conference in Boulder, Colorado to address the issue of the need for stations like these, and to educate the community what the loss of these radio stations means. Although many times corporations have tried to take over many of these stations, often presenting themselves to those unknowing in a non-threatening manner, it is conferences like these the help community awareness. The Grassroots organization hopes by spreading awarenss, more organizations like these will increase with Low Power FM and other media. Without stations like these the article makes clear how many voices and opinions lost in the mainstream would be lost forever.
Grassroots org

Some low power FM transmitters were legalized in the UK in 2006. They previously were not sold because of interference with other stations. These new stations will be marked to show that they are approved within the European Union. You can access the article here.

A new station in an Oregon farming community will give a voice to those who want to speak and debate about immigration issues within their community. With help from the Prometheus Project, voices that could never be heard before on commercial radio will be heard on KPCN. This is a great example of what radio consolidation is taking away and how locals are fighting against it. To see the article click here.

New York Times journalist Eric Klinenberg details his worries for the future of radio in the midst of the pending merger between XM and Sirius Satellite. He questions what can be good about consolidation and the effects it is having on local radios. Klinenberg proposes alternative ways to turn back time in radio world. He believes his suggestions would allow listeners to feel that it is from a local source and not someone a thousand miles away. You can find his article by clicking here

An article from The San Francisco Chronicle describes a low power FM station that has been in trouble for broadcasting ulicenced.  Federal agents seized equipment from the office of this San Francisco Liberation Radio in 2003.  Click here for the article, from the San Francisco Chronicle, on March 1, 2007, to read about this station’s experience in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

This article from a small local newspaper called The Daily Republican in Springfield, MA demonstrates the diversity of a new low power fm radio station. This Valley Free Radio is run entirely by volunteers in a basement and includes programming that reflects the interests of its many members. Click here

In 2000, the Federal Communication Commission took an initiative to open two new classes of broadcasting liscenses for low-power radio. A study followed 239 stations which revealed that low-power FM has “increased ownership diversity and content” and allows more local media coverage. The essay can be accessed here.

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This page discusses the technacalities and development of lower power FM. It also includes policy and procedures low power stations must follow and includes recent headlines on the topic. Click to see the site.

XM & Sirius radio merger. See the NY Times article here.

Short post on recent action between FCC and San Francisco Liberation Radio (SFLR)–one of the nation’s longest running low power radio stations.

See the post here.