Low Power Radio: Small Stations, Big Impact
What is LPFM?
Low-Power FM (LPFM) stations are small, community-based FM radio stations with a broadcast radius of two to four miles. Unlike many commercial full power stations that are driven by ratings, non-commercial LPFM stations often air programs that address the local concerns and debates of a particular community or ethnic group.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created this new class of stations in January of 2000, despite intense opposition from major broadcasters. Since that year, the FCC has processed thousands of applications from groups of all stripes committed to providing local, community-based radio to their towns and cities.
Today, more than 800 LPFM stations are on the air. MAP has been central to low power broadcasting from the beginning by filing comments before the FCC on behalf of LPFM supporters and tirelessly advocating for ways to increase the number of LPFM outlets for local community voices on the air.
What is Congress doing now to expand LPFM?
In 2010, in a huge victory for low power radio supporters, Congress passed a bill to allow the FCC to give out more LPFM licenses. The bill overturned harmful restrictions imposed by Congress in 2001, opening space for hundreds of new LPFM stations to be built nationwide while also protecting existing broadcasters from interference.
Learn more about the Local Community Radio Act of 2010 that was passed.
How will new LPFMs be created?
Now that legislation has passed in Congress to lift licensing restrictions, Prometheus Radio Project and MAP want to make sure that more urban areas will have access to new community radio stations. The two groups are now working with FCC officials to ensure that the agency will provide new licenses to LPFM stations, rather than giving most of the new licenses to “translators” which repeat the signals of other radio stations.
Prometheus Radio Project is also encouraging folks around the country to apply for licenses and to build LPFMs of their own. Learn more from Prometheus about how to get started!
How else is MAP helping to protect LPFM stations?
In 2007, the FCC made it easier for full power stations to change their “city of license.” As a result, a large number of full-power stations submitted applications to relocate, threatening to knock off the air low-power FM stations that were already broadcasting in those communities. Recognizing the ruling’s adverse effects on LPFM stations, in December 2007, the FCC adopted rules to help LPFM stations stay on the air.
The National Association of Broadcasters, an organization that supports the interests of full power commercial radio stations, challenged the FCC decision at the U.S. Court of Appeals of the D.C. Circuit. On behalf of Prometheus Radio Project, an intervenor in the case, MAP defended the Commission’s decision.
On June 5, 2009, the Courts affirmed Commission’s decision. This ruling was a big win for LPFM and for the preservation of local and diverse voices nationwide.
