[IMC] FCC Announces Extension to LPFM Application Deadline

[Julia Wierski]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2013

FCC Announces Application Deadline Extension for Community Radio:
Prometheus Radio Project Offers Support for Groups to Get on Air

WASHINGTON DC -- On October 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced an extended license application deadline for community radio stations. Nonprofit groups, public safety organizations and Indian Tribes can apply for low power FM (LPFM) stations online at the FCC website (http://forms.prometheusradio.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9724&qid=768327), and applications are due by November 14, 2013 6pm EST.

This comes in response to the federal government shutdown that delayed the opening of the original LPFM window, which had been slated for October 15-29, 2013. During the 16 days of the government shutdown, lack of access to the FCC's web resources, including the database that hosts the LPFM application, prohibited all LPFM applicants from processing and submitting their applications to the FCC. 

Prometheus joined with other community radio advocates to encourage the FCC for an additional extension on the original two week window as a fair and necessary accommodation for LPFM applicant groups.

The LPFM application window is long-awaited by Prometheus and its supporters.  Prometheus led the grassroots coalition that pushed Congress to pass the Local Community Radio Act of 2010, which expanded community radio by directing the FCC to make more stations available nationwide and reversing an earlier law that kept stations out of urban areas.

"In a media landscape dominated by national networks, low power FM is radio at its most local. These stations transmit less than 10 miles in any direction, but that small range can cover an entire town, suburb, or small city. In big cities, a low power station can reach hundreds of thousands of listeners," said Sanjay Jolly, Policy Director for the Prometheus Radio Project. "Since only local organizations are eligible to apply, low power stations can make radio relevant to the towns and cities where they broadcast."
 
The over 800 low power stations (http://forms.prometheusradio.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9725&qid=768327) already on the air are run by nonprofits, colleges, churches, and emergency responders. Many, such as the Oregon farmworker station KPCN, offer local programming in languages other than English, often hard to find on the radio dial. KPCN, also known as Radio Movimiento, plays Spanish-language news and information, organizes voter registration drives, and plays traditional and contemporary music.
 
Prometheus has assisted over 1,000 groups (http://forms.prometheusradio.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9726&qid=768327) nationwide in preparation of the application window. Their missions include environmental protection, veterans' issues, serving immigrant and diaspora communities, healthcare access, and cultural preservation, among many more. 


With just under 24 days until the FCC deadline, those who want to apply for a station should already be well along in their preparations. Prometheus is offering free updates and support (http://forms.prometheusradio.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9727&qid=768327), including access to application guides, online trainings, and advice on setting up a station. An online community, Radio Spark (http://forms.prometheusradio.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9728&qid=768327), is also available to connect with radio engineers and other applicants nationwide.

Contact: Julia Wierski, Development & Communications Director at Prometheus Radio Project, jwierski [at] prometheusradio.org, 215.727.9620 x 545
###

P.O. Box 42158
Philadelphia, PA 19101
United States
o.1367.768327.366727c347e0c793 at prometheusradio.orgu.1367.768327.366727c347e0c793@prometheusradio.org
.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.chambana.net/pipermail/imc/attachments/20131022/ddd5ea7e/attachment.html>