Low Power Community Radio Legislation Advances
It is a positive step forward for low power community radio with legislation moving out of committee in the US House, making it possible to move to the House floor. Legislation is a messy and long process, so there are many more hoops to jump through on this. But it’s great to see the work of Prometheus Radio Project move this legislation through to expand community access to low power FM radio – opening up the airwaves. Check out the report today on Democracy Now.
The United Workers in Baltimore, an organization of low-wage workers that was founded by homeless day labourers in an abandoned fire-house turned shelter, attended community action days and helped lobby for low power FM radio earlier in the year. I took part in the lobbying with the United Workers, which included a meeting with White House staff at the White House. It was exciting to be part of this, and to see how Prometheus Radio Project is connecting community organizations with media activists to expand access and include more communities in low power FM radio. Carl and Veronica spoke on behalf of the over 1,500 members of the United Workers – calling on President Obama to honour his work to include more communities in essential information sharing and cultural building benefits of low power FM radio.
Low power community radio could expand in urban communities if the bill by advanced by media justice organizations passes and is signed into law. This would help communities in a number of ways, including by giving local community leaders ways to address needs and concerns in a community, providing a way for people of all ages to create and share culture and provide essential local emergency responses.
So hats off to Cory Fischer-Hoffman and the rest of the team working on this legislation!
