Community organizations in Pasadena can now obtain licenses for non-commercial radio stations (also known as low power FM or LPFM stations) in the community they serve after the Federal Communications Commission voted to open the airwaves for thousands of new local radio stations.
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel announced the expected LPFM application window to open October 15, 2013.
Another FCC commissioner, Mignon Clyburn celebrated the Commission’s decision to free up airwaves in urban communities. Urban areas have limited airwave availability due to the high number of commercial stations. The new rule will give urban organizations the ability to apply for LPFM stations via second-adjacent waivers.
Those expected to benefit in the relaxed airwave rules are community organizations within Pasadena.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition also commended the move. For years, the NHMC has been fighting for diversity in media ownership and against negative stereotypes in the media. “We joined this effort so that Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations could have a greater presence on the radio dial. We need a diversity of voices to help transform the anti-Latino and anti-immigrant discourse which dominates the radio,” said Jessica Gonzalez, NHMC’s Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs.
NHMC has been working closely with a coalition of media advocacy groups, led by Prometheus Radio Project, to call for the relaxation of the airwave rule.
NHMC said it would continue working with the Prometheus Radio Project to help promote awareness of this opportunity to organizations nationwide. For more information about LPFM and the application process, call NHMC at (626) 792-6462.
About NHMC
The National Hispanic Media Coalition is a non-partisan, non-profit, media advocacy and civil rights organization established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Its mission is to educate and influence media corporations on the importance of including U.S. Latinos at all levels of employment. It augments the pool of Latino talent with its professional development programs. It challenges media that carelessly exploit negative Latino stereotypes. It scrutinizes and opines on media and telecommunications policy issues. Learn more at http://www.nhmc.org. Receive real-time updates on Facebook and Twitter @NHMC.