Congress, acting on behalf of companies that dominate FM radio--led, according to the New York Times, by National Public Radio (NPR)--passed the Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000 in December. The measure shifts to Congress the FCC's policy-making authority to set standards for low-power FM stations. The FCC has been pursuing a plan to grant licenses to more than 1,000 organizations, including schools, churches, and others, for broadcasting rights for 100-watt stations that can reach about 3.5 miles. FCC chairman William Kennard said the move was needed to counter a huge consolidation in the industry, leading to a sharp decline in the diversity of voices on the air waves.

Large broadcasters claimed the move would interfere with their broadcasts. Kennard countered that the government "can't allow people who have the spectrum to use their political clout to shut out voices that don't have the same clout.... Companies that have the spectrum guard it jealously, and they can use Congress to prevent new voices from having access to the airwaves."

The tougher restrictions set by Congress mean new low-power licenses will tend to be granted only in rural areas. The FCC issued 255 licenses under the new rules December 21, mostly to schools, churches, or groups such as the Duct Tape Radio and Humanities Forum of New Tok, Arkansas. Several Native American reservations were also granted licenses.

The measure released NPR from offering free radio time to political candidates. A little-noticed 1996 law gave candidates free access. The Times noted: "National Public Radio executives had feared that more candidates would demand air time, particularly because radio stations that had denied air time could have their licenses revoked." The act ensures no penalty can be imposed for denial of air time to a candidate.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home