The FCC's rare window to secure a full-power noncommercial radio license officially closed on October 22nd. Hundreds of groups from across the country submitted applications for new radio stations after many months of community organizing, planning and fundraising.
Those who were not able to apply during this window can still support community radio by fighting for Low Power FM (LPFM) radio - local, nonprofit radio stations that meet community needs by providing information and perspectives ignored by commercial radio. Two bills are currently making their way through Congress that would create thousands of new LPFM stations in cities and suburbs across the country.
Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have introduced the Local Community Radio Act (H.R. 2802 / S. 1675).
The Local Community Radio Act will help bring needed diversity and local voices back to the airwaves.
Find out more about LPFM from Free Press and the Promethus Radio Project