From Brasscheck <ken@brasscheck.com>
4-26-00
http://www.sightings.com/general/amicroradio.htm
Did you know that the limited bandwidth model of radio is technically obsolete.
Has been for a long, long time.Even the modest potential of a full blown
micro-radio movement is a nothing compared to what is already feasible.
But it's still too much for government-backed media monopolist/propagandists.
NPR has finally weighed into the micro-radio debate: against
local independent broadcasters. Surprise, surprise.From the wild and wooly
folks at San Francisco Liberation radio: _____
NPR's "Eternal Disgrace"--Protest at KQED!
"I don't know what's fuzzier, the static from low-power FM or the FCC's
thinking on the issue." --Eddie Fritts, chairman of the National Association
of Broadcasters
Well--we don't know what's fuzzier, the NAB's opposition to low-power
radio, or the static from all those commercials on their stations. The
same could be said for National Public Radio (NPR) as well.
Yes, folks, the NAB and NPR have united in un-holy matrimony. It's
a match made in heaven--or perhaps hell. For those who may have been swamped
in the sea of "little Elian" news and may not have heard--the National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and NPR have joined forces in an attempt
to crush micro radio.
They have enlisted their friends in Congress, including Rep. Michael
Oxley (R-Ohio), in this effort. Oxley introduced a bill, nefariously named
"The Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act," which passed the House of Representatives
by a staggering 274-110 margin.
The only thing the Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act seeks to preserve
is corporate America's stranglehold over the airwaves. Specifically, the
bill would overturn the decision by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) to begin licensing a small number of low-power radio stations.
FCC Chairman William Kennard has estimated that if Oxley becomes law,
it will reduce by 80% the number of micro stations which otherwise would
have been licensed to broadcast under the new FCC regulations. Perhaps
the San Francisco Bay Guardian summed it up best in an editorial in its
April 19, 2000 edition:
"The National Association of Broadcasters--the high-voltage lobbying
force of commercial TV and radio--and (to its eternal disgrace)
National Public Radio, are pushing Congress to kill the micro radio plan,
and congress is prepared to go along."
This "eternal disgrace" is something which NPR should not be allowed
to sail by on. Coming up this Friday-April 28-San Francisco Liberation
Radio and the Labor Video Project will sponsor a protest in front of KQED.
Send a message to NPR--which has offices at the KQED studios--that it must
pay a price for its opposition to democratization of the airwaves.
The AFL-CIO, the Communications Workers of America, as well as the
San Francisco Labor Council and the Alameda Labor Council, have all called
for the development of micro radio stations. As we all know, NPR and PBS
have refused to have any regular labor programming. NPR's support for Oxley
represents a direct attack on labor's right to have any programming on
micro stations.
KQED is located at 2601 Mariposa. The activities get underway at 1
p.m. Please attend this important protest. Also, the KQED Board of Directors
will meet May 4.Anyone may speak during the public commentary section of
the meeting provided they call KQED at 415-864-2000 and request to do so
at least a week in advance.
One of KQED's board members is jolly old Don Fisher, CEO of The Gap
corporation. As a member of the Committee on JOBS, Fisher has been instrumental
in blocking passage of a living wage ordinance in San Francisco.
Let jolly Don and his fellow board members know of your support for
micro radio. And while you're at it give your thoughts on some interesting
programming for KQED to air--such as, say, a documentary on The Gap's exploitation
of its Third World workers.
For information on the protest at KQED on the 28th, or the board meeting
on May 4th, call San Francisco Liberation Radio at 415-386-3135, or the
Labor Video Project at 415-282-1908.
All information posted on this web site is
the opinion of the author and is provided for educational purposes only.
It is not to be construed as medical advice. Only a licensed medical doctor
can legally offer medical advice in the United States. Consult the healer
of your choice for medical care and advice.