Low Power Radio Bill Introduced in Congress
In an effort to combat media consolidation and stave off the death of community, both the House and Senate have introduced a bill that would pave the way for low power FM radio stations to develop throughout the country.
With media consolidation at an all-time high and Clear Channel dominating the airwaves, the vital role of local radio programming is being eroded away. Five years ago a train derailed in Minot, North Dakota and thousands of gallons of dangerous chemicals were released into the environment; many people were injured and one person died. The commercial radio stations in the area were all owned by Clear Channel and none of them carried any advisories about the disaster. Low powered FM stations will ensure that local information will be readily accessible amongst a landscape of national stations.
According to Congressman Mike Doyle, "Diverse, informative, thought-provoking, locally oriented programming has been dramatically restricted across the country by the current federal laws governing the separation between broadcast frequencies. Enactment of this legislation would improve the quality of life in communities across the country by providing new and different programming ? and especially programming addressing local interests and events ? to these communities."