Frequency

Many music fans know this story by heart: In the late '90s, Clear Channel, working in league with the Priory of Scion and Megatron, brainwashed the Federal Communications Commission into changing radio ownership rules, allowing a few corporations to buy thousands of radio stations and standardize formats across the country. Thanks to this noble deed, Americans can rest easy knowing that the new Fergie single is achieving market saturation from coast to coast.\nWhile the damage done by this (consolidation, not Fergie) is largely here to stay, Congress is currently attempting to return some semblance of diversity to the airwaves. The Local Community Radio Act of 2007, sponsored by Congressmen Mike Doyle and Lee Terry and Senators John McCain and Maria Cantwell, would expand lower-power radio across the country.\nCurrently, low-power radio stations, such as WIUX, only exist in less populated areas of the country. When low-power radio was introduced to air legally in 2000, large broadcasters convinced the FCC that low-power stations would interfere with America's favorite commercial conglomerate. As a result, only 800 LPFM stations were allowed to begin operation across the country.\nHowever, an independent engineering study concluded that no interference would result from introducing LPFM stations to markets such as New York and Chicago. Passage of the Local Community Radio Act would allow a whole variety of new stations that could better represent local communities and provide a chance to improve the dismal lack of women and minority ownership of radio stations across the country.\nGiven the size of the corporate radio lobby, passage of this new legislation is far from assured. It will take community advocates and concerned music fans educating their Congressmen in order to win. You can find your Congressman's information at www.congress.org, or visit Prometheusradio.org for more information.