Congressman Doyle Introduces Legislation to
Bring Community Radio to America’s Cities

Washington, DC – June 21, 2007 – U.S. Representatives Mike Doyle (PA-14) and Lee Terry (NE-2) today introduced bipartisan legislation to allow thousands of community radio stations across the country to begin broadcasting.

“Diverse, informative, thought-provoking, locally-oriented programming has been dramatically restricted across the country by the current federal laws governing the separation between broadcast frequencies,” Congressman Doyle said in a conference call earlier today.  “Enactment of this legislation would improve the quality of life in communities across the country by providing new and different programming – and especially programming addressing local interests and events – to these communities.  In addition, the establishment of hundreds of low-power radio stations across the country would also help keep residents better informed during natural disasters and other local emergencies.”

FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein praised the bill today, saying, “Localism and diversity have always been at the heart of radio.  Many low power FM stations across America reflect the best of these traditions and have flourished despite existing interference standards.  As I've traveled throughout this country, I've seen local churches, schools and other community-based organizations use low power stations to broadcast locally-relevant local news, information and music.  That's the essence of radio, and we should do all we can to promote it."

In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued rules that would have allowed the establishment of thousands of low-power FM (LPFM) radio stations across the country.  The FCC’s effort to promote diverse local voices on the radio dial was short-circuited by later that year when Congress enacted “the Radio Broadcast Preservation Act.”  This legislation compelled the FCC to issue LPFM licenses only to low-power radio stations that were at least 4 intervals on the radio dial away from existing full-power stations – ostensibly out of concern that the new stations would cause interference with the existing stations’ signals, but effectively banning low-power FM stations from the 50 largest media markets in the country.  This legislation also required an independent study of how much separation was required to ensure that existing full-power signals weren’t, in fact, compromised.  The study required by the Radio Broadcast Preservation Act, which was completed in 2003, concluded that reducing the separation between radio transmission frequencies to three spaces on the radio dial wouldn’t cause interference with existing broadcast signals.

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Congressman Mike Doyle
Press Release
June 21, 2007
Page 2

Today, Congressmen Doyle and Terry introduced legislation that would repeal the Radio Broadcast Preservation Act’s requirement that radio stations in a given market be 4 intervals apart.  They believe that reducing the required space between radio stations will allow thousands of new community-based LPFM stations across the country to begin broadcasting, dramatically increasing the diversity and community-orientation of radio programming across the country – and exponentially increasing the ability of local governments to communicate important safety information to their communities in the event of terrorist attacks or natural disasters.  Identical legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

“WMKP, the internet radio station at Penn State University’s Greater Allegheny Campus in McKeesport is a “poster child” for why this legislation is needed,” Congressman Doyle said.   “More than 30 student volunteers operate WMKP – “The Roar” – and they would love to bring their unique blend of music, commentary, and public service programming to radio listeners in McKeesport, but the station is currently limited to webcasting.  WMKP has applied for an LPFM license but has not been able to secure one because there’s not enough space on the radio dial in the Pittsburgh media market under the current separation requirements.  This story has been repeated across the country in the top 50 media markets where most Americans live.” 

WMKP General Station Manager David Edward Novak, Jr., said “An LPFM station would give WMKP the ability to spread the power of music to the surrounding community – not just on campus and on the Internet.  I want to thank Congressman Doyle for working to make it possible.”

Congressmen Doyle and Terry both serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over federal telecommunications policy.