Low Power FM (LPFM)

Reclaim the Media

October 7, 2009

Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) reaffirmed his support for the Local Community Radio Act to an enthusiastic crowd at the Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit on Tuesday, calling it our Christmas present this year. Rep. Doyle has been leading the push for Low Power FM in Congress, along with lead co-sponsor Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE). Independent musicians have been longtime supporters of Low Power FM as a venue to share their music.

June 19, 2009

Holy crap — it’s newsletter time again already!?! Well, we’ve got plenty to talk about, including our brand-new “I Support Community Radio” artist video campaign, a couple of victories for Low Power FM radio and a more on our upcoming FMC Policy Summit. Read on for the details.

FMC Policy Summit: Oct. 4-6, 2009 - we want your input!
Big wins for Low Power FM
“I Support Community Radio” artist video testimonials
“Musicians Bringing Musicians Home V” New Orleans wrap-up
FMC “Artist Principles”: podcast interview responses
In case you missed it: FutureBlog - who’s “indie” when it comes to sales?
Public Performance Right update: is commercial radio boycotting rights-supporting artists?
DC Policy Day: YouTube playlist
News from Technologies Director Brian Zisk
FMC travel and appearances

Shayne Wagman and Casey Rae-Hunter

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

On June 11, 2009, the House Subcommittee for Communications, Technology and the Internet held a hearing on the Local Community Radio Act of 2009. This bill is designed to lift the minimum distance requirements imposed by the Radio Broadcast Preservation Act and allow LPFM stations to exist on “third-adjacent channels,” or channels three clicks away from full-power stations on the dial. Congress imposed this restriction in response to fears that an LPFM’s 100 watt-or-less signal would interfere with a full-power station’s 20,000 watt signal. This is a bit like being worried that a flashlight will steal brightness from an industrial-grade spotlight. read more

By Dayo Adiatu

CivilRights.org

June 12, 2009

The Future of Music Coalition, a coalition of members of the music, technology, public policy, and intellectual property law communities, has launched a campaign to educate Americans about the role low-power FM (LPFM) radio plays in diversifying the airwaves, particularly since it provides the opportunity for more minority- and female-owned stations to receive licenses.

June 10, 2009

Launched on the eve of an important Congressional hearing on Low Power FM radio (LPFM), the “I Support Community Radio” campaign features video testimonials from such artists as the Indigo Girls, Saul Williams, David Harrington of Kronos Quartet, Jon Langford of The Mekons and Waco Brothers, Vijay Iyer, Franz Nicolay of The Hold Steady and more.

Non-commercial radio plays a major role in the discovery of music of all genres. From indie-rock to hip-hop to folk to jazz to classical, the music played on public broadcasting stations reaches listeners in American communities large and small. read more

By Matthew Lasar

Ars Technica

June 6, 2009

Supporters of low-power FM (LPFM) radio won a victory on Friday when a federal appeals court rejected a lawsuit to stop the Federal Communications Commissions from protecting LPFM stations from full power station signal interference.

In a small, but decisive June 5 victory for existing LPFM stations, the U.S. Court of Appeals, DC Circuit dismissed the NAB's petition for review and upheld the FCC's December 2007 decision to protect LPFM stations. The DC Circuit held that the Radio Broadcast Preservation Act of 2000 did not prevent the FCC from taking measures to protect LPFM stations. Not only is it Friday (woohoo -- the weekend!), but here at FMC we just got word that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit issued an important decision in support of Low Power FM radio. (Click here for the full PDF of the ruling.) read more

FMC staff will be all over the map in the next couple of weeks, talking about music, tech and policy issues as well as raising money for New Orleans musicians. Oh yeah, we’ve also got the date nailed down for our D.C. Policy Summit! So you know, our summer is definitely heating up. Read on for details on all this and more.

Save the Date: Future of Music Policy Summit – Oct. 4-6, 2009
SanFranMusicTech Summit: May 18! (podcast w/Brian Zisk)
Artist Activism Camp and “Musicians Bringing Musicians Home V” concert
FMC releases “Same Old Song” radio playlist study
World Copyright Summit: June 9-10, Washington DC
Nicole Atkins hits the Hill for LPFM
The push for a Public Performance Right
“Tweeting” music – who, if anyone, gets paid?
Travel and appearances

A handful of posts ago, we told you about how singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins came down to DC for a flurry of appearances on the Hill in support of Low Power FM radio. LPFM is something that an increasing number of artists care about, because it's a great way for a wider variety of music to be heard on the public airwaves. (Guess what? We've got a fact sheet all about it.) read more

Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings

Mar 5, 2018

ASCAP - BMI Consent Decrees

Aug 4, 2016

Political Campaigns and Music Licensing

When must candidates get permission to use music, and who must they ask?

Sep 9, 2015

House Panel Approves Community Radio bill

Low Power FM on the Hill

Coalition Raises Awareness about the Need to Diversify the Airwaves

FMC Launches "I Support Community Radio" Campaign

I Support Community Radio

Broadcasters lose in court over low-power FM radio

Good News for Low Power FM!

Nicole Atkins Blogs About LPFM

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