The FCC again Threatens - San Francisco Liberation radio 93.7 FM.

[Room101]

http://www.liberationradio.net/

San Francisco Liberation Radio is a microradio station serving San Francisco neighborhoods to the north and east of Twin Peaks, including western Oakland and Berkeley, and worldwide via the Internet. A volunteer operation for nine years, we broadcast 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 100 watts. Explore this Web site for news about our station, our programs, and a history of microradio in America.

Up To Their Old Tricks: FCC Threatens SFLR
For the third time in 10 years, the Federal Communications Commission has paid a threatening visit to our station. It is the first visit at our new location.

What went down:
On July 2 at 5:00 p.m., two FCC agents from Enforcement Bureau field staff, David Doon and Glenn Phillips, came to the station. DJ Carmen La Salle refused to let them in to inspect the equipment. Doon informed her that refusal would result in a $7,000 fine, and a $10,000 fine for broadcasting without a license.

They hand-delivered a "notice of unlicensed radio operation." The warning noted, "You refused to allow an inspection of your radio equipment in violation of Sections of the Communications act of 1934. You don't have a license at the time of inspection. Operation without a license is illegal ... Radio stations must be licensed the only exceptions are stations below 1 MHz."

The station was given until July 20 to present a "proof of a license or authority to operate this radio station."

What we are doing:
We are enlisting community support for our station. See our first and second press releases.

What Our Lawyers are Doing:
One of our longtime lawyers, Peter Franck wrote a letter to the FCC field office seeking to delay further action against the station. He asked, “Why is the FCC shutting the station down now, when SFLR has been on the air for the last 10 years?” The letter also pointed out that Congress is re-visiting the public or community access provisions of the Telecommunications Act. He also mentioned that a third adjacent field study is done and that the results have just been released.

What You Can Do:
Post a statement of support to our Guestbook and we will forward it to the FCC! Thanks!

[wuushew]

1. What's the issue here no license equals no air time?

Am I missing something?

[otohara]

2. Why Now?

you've been on the air for 10 years. 100 watts is nothing - I don't get it - Unless you were some kind of threat to Clear Channel and they wanted to get rid of you, so they called and said something to the FCC.
That changed?

I worked in radio a long time. The only thing the biggie radio stations were worried about re: the FCC was The Public File.

[AP]

3. They're clearing the decks for Clear Channel. They did the same thing

with internet radio when they required internet-only broadcasters to pay higher music licensing fees that internet+over air broadcasters. (That's called a "barrier to entry" that benefits the big, established, radio stations.)

Clear Channel's business model is to accept a smaller overall music market, but to increase predictability by reducing the number of new songs in the rotation, and reducing variety on the airways. Anything that is slightly different has the potential to cut into their market because people will be so desperated for variety.

So, you have to clear the decks of any ideas or models that are different.

[Zhade]

4. Um, the airwaves are supposed to be OURS. These miserable fucks...GOD!

NT!