Sunday, December 24, 2000
Apparently the shit has hit the fan at Pacifica again. This time it's at NYC station WBAI. Reports from the station indicate that Pacifica director Bessie Wash has fired WBAI's station manager Valerie Van Isler and program director Bernard White, the doors to the station have also been locked and station staff are being admitted only under controlled circumstances (as opposed to the station's usual open-door policy). It appears to be a strange repeat of what happened at KPFA in Berkeley in the Spring of '99, when Pacifica management locked out the entire staff for almost a month in retaliation for staff protests over Pacifica's firing of KPFA's popular station manager Nicole Sawaya. Will Pacifica ever learn? Or do they simply have unending faith in strong-arm tactics?
For more on the situation at WBAI as it unfolds, go to the Save Pacifica website..
posted 12/24/2000 02:33:51 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Tuesday, December 19, 2000
Strangely enough, NPR did a short piece on the LPFM cutback today on All Things Considered. They did include the fact that NPR lobbied agressively against LPFM and gave Kennard and LPFM advocates some say. Click here to listen to the story.
Here's links to some other stories on Congress' attack on LPFM that are finally seeping into the mainstream media:
San Francisco Chronicle
Reuters / Variety
Miami Herald / AP
posted 12/19/2000 04:59:47 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
The mainstream media finally recognizes the evisceration of low-power FM. Today the New York Times reports on the anti-LPFM rider attached to the omnibus budget bill. Of particular note is this observation: "Taking a direct slap at the regulators, the new law shifts the policy- making authority from the F.C.C. to Congress to set standards and issue licenses for low-power FM stations. This is the first time in recent memory that the lawmakers actually stripped the agency of the power to manage an important part of the spectrum." Also telling is FCC Chairman Kennard's response to the legislation: "We can't allow people who have the spectrum to use their political clout to shut out voices that don't have the same clout."
I think the most important and wide-reaching element of this bill is the micromanagement by congress that it effects. Regulatory agencies exist for a reason, and part of that reason is to take over areas too complex and expansive for Congress and the President to preside over. But this bill effectively sends the message that Congress has no faith in the FCC and its ability to determine the proper use of the spectrum--something that is its primary responsibility. Apparently Congress believes that the National Association of Broadcasters knows better than the FCC. The scary thing is that this could be a harbringer of things to come---why not just turn all telecomm regulation over to the NAB? And while we're at it, why not let Exxon and Texaco take over the EPA?
posted 12/19/2000 04:41:03 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Direct from the horse's mouth -- this is what the National Association of Broadcasters is telling the world about their crippling of LPFM:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEMENT OF NAB PRESIDENT/CEO EDWARD O. FRITTS ON PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION PROTECTING
RADIO LISTENERS AGAINST INCREASED INTERFERENCE
"We are pleased that Congress has protected radio listeners against additional interference that would have been caused by the FCC low-power FM radio initiative.
"NAB’s central concern related to LPFM was the harm it would cause listeners through additional interference. Those concerns were echoed by other groups, including National Public Radio, the National Religious Broadcasters Association, and Radio Reading Services for the Blind. The compromise legislation allows LPFM to go forward, while minimizing interference for millions of radio listeners."
Contact: Dennis Wharton (202) 429-5350
And this is what the NAB is telling their members (via an inside informant) reprinted entirely without permission from the NAB's Radioweek fax, dated December 18:
Broadcasters Win LPFM Fight
NAB was pleased to report on Friday that Congress has, at long last, passed LPFM legislation that provides for a drastically scaled back version of the FCC's ill conceived plan. NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts commented on the Congressional ruling by saying, "We are pleased that Congress has protected radio listeners against additional interference that would have been caused by the FCC low-power FM radio initiative. NAB's central concern related to LPFM was the harm it would cause listeners through additional interference. Those concerns were echoed by other groups, including National Public Radio, the National Religious Broadcasters Association, and Radio Reading Services for the Blind. The compromise legislation allows LPFM to go forward, while minimizing interference for millions of radio listeners."
The vote in Congress culminated a two-year effort by NAB to limit the damage caused by LPFM to listeners. Particularly effective in this effort was the NAB Spectrum Integrity Task Force, headed by Bonneville President/CEO Bruse Reese. Focusing on the inevitable interference the FCC plan would have caused, the task force recommended thorough and complete technical studies. Some of the nation's best engineers, scientists and consultants provided irrefutable proof that the FCC plan was nothing less than an abdication of their responsibility as guardian of spectrum integrity.
The engineering firm Moffet, Larson and Johnson developed testing methodologies for assessing interference immunity of modern FM radios. Carl T. Jones Corp. performed a thorough FM receiver study for NAB, and Dataworld produced hundreds of color-coded maps documenting interference predicted for station listeners as a result of LPFM. George Washington Univ. Professors Dr. Raymond Pickholtz and consultant Dr. Charles Jackson critiqued FM receiver tests done by proponents of LPFM, proving conclusively the validity of the NAB receiver studies. NAB also placed on the NAB Web site examples of real-world radio interference that occurs without third adjacent channel protection.
National Public Radio, as well as religious broadcasters, joined broadcasters in vigorous opposition to the plan. The Radio Reading Services for the Blind had special concerns about the damage the FCC plan would have done to their ability to provide a million visually-impaired people with access to a daily newspaper read to them over the airwaves.
Under the able leadership of Rep. Jonn Dingell (D-MI), Mike Oxley (R-OH), Billy Tauzin (R-LA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Heather Wilson (R-NM) and Hal Rogers (R-KY) in the House, and Rod Grams (R-MN), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Harry Reid (D-NV) and Ted Stevens (R-AK) in the Senate, a bill was approved that preserves the critical third adjacent channel spacing and protects listeners against additional interference.
Strong leadership, strong science and hundreds of broadcasters across the country demonstrated to Congress the harm that the FCC plan would have done to their constituients, and Congress responded wisely. Don't fail to let your Senators and Representatives know that you appreciate this action.
Thanks to the NAB, we know better who to blame. This is a grudge that should last until the next Congressional election in '02--but why not start the letter and e-mail campagins now?
posted 12/19/2000 12:25:42 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Saturday, December 16, 2000
It's looks like LPFM has been crippled by our elected representatives. I've searched all the major gov't databases, including Thomas, and Lexis-Nexis' Congressional Universe, and can't find an updated status on the Commerce appropriations bill that contains the onerous anti-LPFM rider, but I've received word from the Center for Democratic Communciations and from Radio Free Richmond that the bill did pass Congress and should be signed by President Clinton. The National Journal and The New York Times also confirm the bill's passage. There is no indication that any of the language limiting low-power FM radio has been altered or removed from the bill, although there is no information that appears to confirm or disconfirm this.
Here is the report I received from the CDC:
TRAGICALLY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS (NAB) AND PUBLIC RADIO (NPR) HAVE SUCCEEDED IN KILLING LEGALIZED LOW POWER RADIO
by Peter Franck
The National Lawyers Guild Center on Democratic Communications ("CDC") has just learned that Congress intends to pass an Omnibus Budget Act containing a rider which will gut the FCC's new Low Power FM (LPFM) service. It now appears that President Clinton will sign this bill.
This is the culmination of a year long intensive lobbying campaign by the NAB, which unfortunately has been given liberal cover by NPRís campaign against LPFM.
For more than ten years CDC has been involved with the defense of micro broadcasters who went on the air at a time when the FCC refused to license low power stations. We argued that those rules were unconstitutional, and the risk of losing in court was one factor in the FCC changing its position and authorizing LPFM.
More than a year ago, in meetings with the NAB we pointed out that they would hurt established broadcasters if they killed LPFM (also known as microradio). The NAB claimed they were worried about interference from unlicensed broadcasters. We pointed out that they would be much better off accepting some competition for audience from these small stations but knowing where the stations were, and knowing that the FCC had assigned them to available frequencies.
We pointed out that if LPFM was killed they would be faced with many stations going on the air in an unpredictable way at unknown frequencies and locations. Because the technology is cheap and readily available LPFM will not disappear, no matter how much Congress, NPR and the NAB try to kill it. For many, LPFM remains the only means for local communities to have a voice.
Disappointed as we are by this congressional refusal to allow a small experiment in media democracy, CDC will look at possible legal challenges to Congress' unprecedented attack on community radio. Peter Franck, a member of CDC speculated that this new law may well be unconstitutional. Franck added ìLaws passed by congress are easier to challenge in the courts than regulations promulgated by agencies such as the FCC. This is not over.î
Since 1990, the CDC has worked with pioneering microbroadcasters such as Mbanna Kantako and Stephen Dunifer, who took to the airwaves to challenge the FCC's ban on low power community radio. In response to growing public support, the FCC under Chairman Bill Kennard adopted a Low Power FM service to promote public access to the airwaves. This modest service would have create up to one-thousand new 100 watt and 10 watt community stations. (The bill being passed by congress is a phony ìcompromiseî because it may allow 60 or 70 LPFM stations in the most rural and unpopulated parts of the country.)
National Public Radio and the National Association of Broadcasters failed to stop the FCC from implementing its modest Low Power FM service. But after months of intensive lobbying, NPR and the NAB convinced Congress to quietly kill the service, and prevent schools, libraries, community groups and local government from operating low watt stations. The extent of Congressional meddling into the technical affairs of the FCC is unprecedented, and proves that the public has indeed lost all control over the "public" airwaves. CDC is committed to doing everything it can to help recover them for the public
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Peter Franck ,NLG Center for Democratic Communications (CDC)
3450 Geary Blvd., Suite 208, San Francisco, CA 94118; www.nlgcdc.org
CDC: 415.522.9814; P. Franck: 415.381.9960; fax 415.381.9963
pfranck@culturelaw.com
posted 12/16/2000 01:21:43 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Thursday, December 14, 2000
Today the NY Times has a story on the effect of rising rents in San Francisco, with a focus on the Mission neighborhood-based AK Press, which is being forced to leave its building due to its rent being tripled.
This is an unfortunate outcome of the renewed interest in cities and urban living and working. It effects everyone, especially those doing independent media, who often rely on city locations with cheap rents to provide convenient usable locations close to vibrant communities of like-minded people and important resources.
posted 12/14/2000 07:00:20 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center's Newshour for Dec. 12 is now available for streaming on-line. The program was broadcast on community radio WEFT, as part of a series of IMC produced programs that will air during December and January. Part 1 of the program features local news and announcements. Part 2 has a report and discussion about the Champaign County Green Party (the 'Prairie Greens').
Click here for part 1.
Click here for part 2.
Both programs require Real Player.
posted 12/13/2000 12:16:46 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Sunday, December 10, 2000
I've made available on-line the headline news from today's show. This is something I'll try to do each program, featuring at least the headline news and other features if it's something I've personally produced (this week the feature was an outside production which I don't want to distribute without getting permission).
Click here to listen to this week's news headlines. Requires Real Player.
posted 12/10/2000 04:41:17 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Sunday, December 03, 2000
The new issue of Micro-Film, the locally produced journal of independent and personal cinema, is out. It's the first anniversary issue with articles on the Roger Ebert Film Festival 2000, lots of independent films like Godass and Threat, along with opinions and reviews. Ask your local independent book/magazine/zine retailer to stock it, or get info on subscribing at the website.
Jason Pankoke, the publisher, is a pal of mine and has been on RFC many times. Independent film--especially no-budget film and desktop video--is an exciting and growing part of the contemporary independent media movement. These filmmakers are helping blur the line between media professionals and everyday citizens by demonstrating that large budgets and mainstream legitimacy are not necessary to produce excellent, sincere and artistic movies. Of course, Jason also represents this attitude in his contribution as an indpendent publisher.
posted 12/3/2000 11:35:10 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
BAD NEWS: Mbanna Kantako and Human Rights Radio in Springfield, IL were shut down again by the FCC this past Thursday. Here is the word from Prof. Mike Townsend:
At 11:15 AM Thurs.,Nov.30,the FCC agents of repression raided Mbanna Kantako's Human Rights Radio for the 2nd time in less than 2 months. Before coming to the door,the FCC had a private contractor scale Kantako's 2 story rental home to disconnect and remove his 2 antennas. Apparently, they didn't like the fact that Kantako broadcast the 1st five minutes of the last raid (on 9/29/00) "live" on-the-air before the raiders realized what was going on. This time the Matrix Police sent only 8 members of their multi-jurisdictional task force into the home. They were so polite that when Mbanna's wife,Dia,demanded that they remove their shoes before stepping into her livingroom, to steal the equipment, they meekly complied! Despite the fact that Mbanna was in direct violation of a federal court order not to broadcast,there was no attempt to arrest him. Mbanna and his family took it all in stride as they audio taped the entire 45 minute intrusion into the privacy of their home. Mbanna intends to get back on-the air just as soon as he receives the necessary equipment from supporters around the country. Meanwhile,the federal marshall's office is running short on space to store the radio loot from their raids on Human Rights Radio. Stay tuned. Mike Townsend
posted 12/3/2000 11:24:04 PM [link
to this entry] [respond]
[top]
Click
here for news archives...
|
|
