LPFM Controversy

To continue to do research on LPFM I needed to understand the controversies behind low power FM radio. Something that had been briefly touched upon while doing background research was teh fact that there have been several issues with how much or little the government should control who can use LPFM to broadcast. Thus, I decided to use Google News to find a source that would explain why the government wanted control over lpfm. While on Google News I used the search term "lpfm government control" and almost instantaneously I received lots of responses for my keywords. The site that I was most attracted to was http://www.kpov.org/content/view/18/20/. This site proved to be credible, I was able to easily find that the site is run by an LPFM station in Central Oregon. The radio station is called 106.7 FM KPOV. The site is funding with government money because the stations focuses on educating its listeners. The information on the site is extremely current they even post changes to various bills that affect LPFM on their website. This website is useful because I was able to gain a better understanding on the controversy behind government control over LPFM stations. This radio station is devoted to educating the community of Central Oregon and they greatly benefit from LPFM laws that have been passed. Since they are a commercial free station they meet all guidelines necessary by the FCC to operate as a LPFM with the help of some government funding. It was especially interesting to read the value of LPFM's to a small radio station. The only thing that could be missing from this website is a more detailed account of why the government has decided to take control and allot permits for LPFM stations the way they have done so.

Notes:

• LPFM service created in 2000 by FCC
• used for noncommercial educational broadcasting
• must operate on 100 watts or less
• LPFM's were a reaction to the media consolidation during the 80's and 90's
• thus, FCC made permits that would be given to those who qualified for a LPFM station
• over 1000 organization have received these permits in order to "democratize our airwaves"

In order, to get a more detailed  account of the main issues regarding free use of LPFM and why the government had to intervene I decided to search on www.ask.com. On Ask my new search term was "Prometheus Radio" because I had vaguely read upon this group that worked to try to free LPFM from too much government control. Upon entering this search term I was directed to exactly what I was looking for http://www.prometheusradio.org, using this site proved to be extremely helpful. The group in charge of this website is the Prometheus group of radio activists who are dedicated to the support and growth of various LPFM stations. This site is funded through the various supporters of Prometheus and volunteers who work to keep the organization and site running. Furthermore, the information on this website is current as well proving to be an excellent source for my research. Perhaps, the only thing missing now would be insight on the government's side as to why there should be so much government regulation.

Notes:

• Prometheus' goal "freeing the airwaves from corporate control"
• started in 1998 by past radio "pirates"
• work on growing the "community of LPFM stations"
• in 2000 FCC allowed the creation of LPFM stations
• work to protect LPFM's from encroachment
• work to show the FCC that the use of LPFM stations is important