Senate Commerce Committee Approves Local Community Radio Act

SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE APPROVES LOCAL COMMUNITY RADIO ACT
The Senate Commerce Committee approved the Local Community Radio Act of 2007 (SR 1675), a bill aimed at substantially expanding the number of community media outlets in the United States. The bill is designed to implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission regarding Low Power FM, allowing thousands more Low Power FM community radio stations to reach Americans in cities, and all across the country. The bill was introduced by Sens John McCain (R-AZ) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). A companion bill was introduced in the House in June 2007 and has been referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. It was introduced by Reps Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Lee Terry (R-NE) and has 55 cosponsors. "Low Power FM radio was limited back in 2000, when the big broadcasters tried to convince America that 100-watt community radio stations would interfere with the biggest stations in America's biggest cities," said Prometheus technical director Pete Tridish. "At Congress' demand, the FCC proved that there was plenty of room for low power FM radio. With today's vote, and with the growing momentum to expand low power FM radio in the House of Representatives, communities across the country have a reason to celebrate."

* Senate Committee Votes to Expand Low Power FM Radio! (Prometheus Radio Project)
http://prometheusradio.org/content/view/573/1/

* More Local Radio One Step Closer to Reality (Free Press)
"The Local Community Radio Act will open the radio dial to thousands more new LPFM stations, while still protecting incumbent broadcasters from interference. LPFM stations help provide information and perspectives crucial to communities that are often ignored by mainstream radio. But these intensely local outlets have been limited to rural areas, denying thousands of would-be LPFM station operators the opportunity to serve their community. The Local Community Radio Act would change the rules and authorize the FCC to license countless new LPFM stations in urban and suburban communities across the country. This legislation is an important milestone on the path toward a media system that is accountable to local citizens."
http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=291