Washington, DC – July 11, 2009 – In a hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, FCC Audio Division Chief Peter Doyle testified on behalf of the Local Community Radio Act (H.R. 1147). Introduced by U.S. Representatives Mike Doyle (PA-14) and Lee Terry (NE-2), the bill would allow the FCC to license thousands of Low Power FM community radio stations across the country.
Ever get the feeling that a terrible Celine Dion song is stalking you via the radio? Every time you scan the dial there it is taunting your heart to "go on and on... forever."
Listen to the 30-minute Call featuring Reps. Mike Doyle and Lee Terry as well as Michael Bracy (FOM), Ben Scott (Free Press), Cory Fischer-Hoffman (Prometheus Radio Project), and Shawn Campbell (CHIRP).
The Local Community Radio Act (HR1147) was introduced yesterday by Reps. Mike Doyle (PA) and Lee Terry (NE).
On a Press Teleconference Rep. Doyle stated that this bill would "serve the needs and interests of local communities." Rep. Doyle was echoed clearly by Rep. Terry who noted that "low-power FM really is the essence of localism." Michael Bracy from the Future of Music Coalition (FMC) and Ben Scott from Free Press joined the call to show continued support for Local Community Radio from the musician and media reform community. Shawn Campbell from the Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) spoke passionately about the need for more local community radio, especially as the national economic crisis "has absolutely decimated local media" in Chicago, as radio programing and newspapers have cut content. Describing CHIRP's advocacy, she went on to state that "community radio absolutely can help fill these holes" in local media.
