Columbia, South Carolina, February 23, 2010 -- Tuesday’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) workshop on broadcast ownership was transformed when South Carolinian supporters of low power radio flooded the public comment sessions calling for an expansion of the low power FM (LPFM) service.

“Any discussion of broadcasting and media ownership in South Carolina should include the need to expand and strengthen low power radio,” said Stephen Varholy, general manager of Columbia, South Carolina’s low power WXRY-LP.

Low power radio stations are run by churches, schools, local governments, and non-profit organizations. Mike Willis of Lake Murray, South Carolina was among several supporters who used the public hearing to ask South Carolina’s legislators to expand the low power service with the Local Community Radio Act.

“We want to urge the US Senators from South Carolina to support this legislation. We have not yet had Senator Jim DeMint’s support, and we are calling on him to help us pass this important bill this spring,” said Willis, who hopes to start a low power station for his community.

Testimonials of Low Power, High Impact

Whether they’re organizing their community, spinning records, or fighting big media, all over the country people love community radio. To find out who loves community radio, where they love it, and why they love it, Prometheus is launching the People Powered Radio Project. Please submit a short video clip about you and radio, and send it our way. The videos will be uploaded onto an interactive Google map, showcasing a growing network of community organizers and media activists. 

Because participatory radio is driven by the needs of each community, no two radio stations are exactly alike. The People Powered Radio Project will use personal testimonials to show how radio is individually, communally, and politically relevant. This is your time to tell each other what radio means to you! Please add your voice to the growing network of stories.

For more info, and how to submit, continue reading.

In our fight to pass the Local Community Radio Act, every victory we celebrate comes with a new hurdle to overcome.  On December 16, 2009 the Local Community Radio Act was launched out of the House of Representatives with unanimous bipartisan support.  Now, the Senate version (S592), which has already passed out of Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, must pass the full Senate to be placed on the President's desk this Spring.

The bill still needs to be officially reported and filed—a bureaucratic process that should take only days,  particularly because this is the third session in a row that the legislation has unanimously cleared Committee.  In the recent healthcare debate, much attention has been paid to the slow-moving, complex inner workings of the Senate. We are no exception. As we wait for a full Senate vote, we are looking to the leadership of cosponsors Senator Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to move the bill forward. The Local Community Radio Act (S592) also includes the Snowe Amendment and the Lautenberg Amendment.

Low Power FM Passes the House of Representatives!

by Hannah Sassaman

A number of people have asked me to do a little bit of writing on a big moment for community media justice — the passage of the low power FM radio bill out of the House of Representatives last night.

The Local Community Radio Act House vote is postponed until tomorrow. Check back in the morning for the latest! We've waited 9 years, I suppose we can wait one more night...

The Local Community Radio Act is on the House suspension calendar for Tuesday, December 15 at 10 a.m. We need 2/3 majority for it to pass. Call your representative now to ensure its safe passage!

This is it! Legislators are getting ready to go home for the holidays, and since they tend to argue all year long, they do a lot of the actual bill passing each year between now and December 18, when they leave Washington.

Since the Local Community Radio Act has passed all of its committees, the House and Senate can pass it at any moment, if we can just get it on the agenda for next week.

Take The Leap Now! Here's How:

Call your Representative’s office and ask to speak to the staff person who covers telecom issues. After that, do the same when you call your Senators.

To find out your elected official's name, contact info, the name of their telecom staffer, and whether they support the bill, go to Free Press or call Prometheus at 215-727-9620. Either by phone or on voicemail, tell the Congressional staffer something like:

“I am a constituent of [Politician X] and I am calling to urge him/her to support the Local Community Radio Act, HR1147 and S592, which expands the Low Power FM radio service, creating new opportunities for local media in our community. Can I count on [Politician X] to help get this bill passed?”

Even if your Representative or Senator supports the bill, your call will remind them to make sure that our bill gets decided this week. Afterwards, let us know how your call went by posting on our facebook event and you’ll be entered to win a free bag of Prometheus goodies , including a book, a t-shirt, stickers, and more! Thanks to everyone for helping to bring low power to the people!

The Local Community Radio Act (S 592) was passed unanimously by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today. The bill has been moving swiftly in the last few months in both the House and Senate and looks poised to pass this congressional session. 

Click here to read the whole press release! 

MEDIA ADVISORY
November 17, 2009

WHO: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

WHAT: Markup and Committee Vote on S 592, The Local Community Radio Act (LCRA)

WHEN: Thursday, November 19, 2009, at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Senate Russell Building, Room 293, Washington, D.C.

WHY: The Local Community Radio Act would allow for hundreds of new, non-commercial radio stations around the country. These independent community stations are run by non-profit organizations such as schools, churches, emergency responders, and neighborhood groups.

The Local Community Radio Act, co-sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ), has passed the Senate Committee twice before.  However, this time the Senate bill is accompanied by a House version of the bill, HR 1147, which recently passed the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet and the House Energy and Commerce Committee for the first time. This greatly increases the Act’s chances for passage in this legislative session.