<

This upcoming Tuesday, March 8th, Wooden Shoe Books invites people passionate about community media, activism, and quality homegrown music to come celebrate and discuss the recent passage of The Local Community Radio Act. Prometheus Radio Project’s Brandy Doyle and Free Press’ Libby Reinish will led the discussion and take questions regarding a bill that represents a decade of activism by citizens concerned about giving voice to communities, not corporations.

“[Local radio] is part of a bigger movement for a return to the local: local food systems, local businesses, local control over decisions,” notes Doyle, “people are increasingly seeing the value of more local control over media.”

Philadelphia’s own Prometheus Radio Project led the activist charge fueled by the passage of the Telecommunications Act in 1996 under a Republican-dominated House of Representatives. This act supported a massive media deregulation, allowing large media companies, such as Clear Channel, to buy up media outlets to their heart’s content. Local channels were gobbled up, with local DJs and programming being replaced by the decisions of corporate headquarters based potentially hundreds of miles away from the listeners.

During this time, unlicensed pirate radio stations, including Prometheus’ forefather Radio Mutiny, sprang in revolt of the homogenization of the airwaves. While the Federal Communications Council more or less supported the existence of these low-power FM stations, the efforts of media lobbyists and the Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000 bull-dozed over the station’s numerical homes by limiting the number of available frequencies. Local media activists, though, were not deterred and fought back with their own lobbyists, grassroots protests, and partnerships with groups from both the left and the right.

“We worked tirelessly to mobilize our members, encouraging them to contact their representatives and voice their support. We urged them to contact the only obstacle to the bill’s passage, the National Association of Broadcasters, and demand they stop holding community radio hostage,” explains Libby. Along with independent media supporters like Free Press, the diverse advocates for The Local Community Radio Act included civil rights organizations and Christian rights groups.
With an increasing number of co-sponsors, the act finally passed on its third trip through the House. Doyle predicts there will be a fair number of people at Tuesday’s Woodenshoe event curious about how the activists didn’t lose steam, what effective strategies they employed, and lessons learned along the way. Among other topics, the discussion may also touch upon just what The Local Community Radio Act means for the future of media.

Reneish cautions, “[the act] does not provide funding or otherwise assist with the sustainability of these new stations. I think low power FM has the potential to change the way news is made and consumed, but we have to make sure these stations have the resources they need to serve their communities effectively.”

Avid WHYY fans and college radio DJs take note: local radio still needs your support; find out how you can help by stopping by the Woodenshoe on Tuesday.

The Local Community Radio Act Victory
Tuesday, March 8th from 7pm to 9pm
Wooden Shoe Books
704 South Street