ELECTION UNSPUN
New Multi-Media Website Provides Critical News and Information for Voters

(February 5, 2008) - Community radio networks Pacifica Radio and Free Speech Radio News have introduced ElectionUnspun.org, a new multi-media website to promote election literacy during the 2008 elections. "Election Unspun is full of compelling and uncomplicated information to help citizens unravel the double-speak of political candidates and media pundits,” said Nathan Moore, Pacifica Radio's National Program Coordinator.

The website features new audio and video productions and blogs that are updated daily, accompanied by supplemental text and background information. Links to other informative elections websites are provided. Daily audio newscasts showcased at the top of the website’s home page include headlines, news features, and interviews. They are also being aired on many grassroots radio stations throughout the US in a newscast also called Election Unspun.

STANDING UP TO BIG MEDIA
Pacificans & Allies Oppose Media Consolidation

On November 9, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held its sixth and final public hearing on media ownership issues. Three Pacificans were there to voice their opposition to a proposed loosening of media ownership rules. Their testimonies, which appear here in text and audio, echo the sentiments of millions of Americans who in recent years have seen a myriad of negative effects from wave after wave of media mergers.

Testifying at the Seattle hearing were:

• Joseph Orozco - Station Manager of KIDE in Hoopa, California
• Davey D - host of Hard Knock Radio on KPFA Berkeley, California
• Steve Ramsey - General Manager of KBCS in Bellevue, Washington
• Jonathan Lawson - Executive Director of Reclaim the Media
• Leigh Robertes - General Manager of KRFP Radio Free Moscow in Moscow, Idaho
• Gavin Dahl - Producer of "Digital Crossroads" at KAOS in Olympia, Washington
• Karen Toering - Co-Director of Reclaim the Media

Hundreds Apply to Build Local Radio
Due to National Coalition Efforts

From October 12 to October 22, 2007, over 350 local community groups across the country applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for licenses to build new community radio stations. They applied when, after much anticipation, the FCC lifted a freeze in effect since 2000 on filings for Noncommercial Educational (NCE) radio licenses.

The NCE frequencies, residing on the left side of the FM dial between 88.1 MHz and 91.9 MHz, are granted by the federal government to nonprofit organizations free of charge. "This is the last free spectrum," said FCC attorney John Crigler, who helped community radio applicants. "This filing window will have social consequences. It is a last opportunity to have a fight about values and how public spectrum ought to be used."

Recognizing the impact the window is likely to have on the radio landscape, media democracy groups organized nationally in a coalition called Radio for People, to promote and help applications for community radio. Their motto was "Be the media!"

Photo by Amy Vinchattle/The Tribune

AMES, Iowa, October 20 — In response to their efforts to bring community radio to the area, some local residents took part in a special interview last week.

According to former Colorado resident Roger Parmenter, a lot of things got him to Ames to start a community radio station. Horace Greeley. Grandchildren. Good omens. Among other things.

This week, Parmenter, together with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames as sponsor, has applied for an FCC license for a community radio station for Ames and surrounding rural areas.

EFFORTS CONTINUE TO BRING
COMMUNITY RADIO TO OZARKS

This article originally appeared in The Cabool Enterprise. To hear the voices of Real Community Radio and other full-power applicants from across the country, listen to Be the Media! - the October 25 edition of Sprouts Radio from the Grassroots.
 

From left to right: Gene Colliflower, Kazie Perkins and Myron Jackson

Directors of Real Community Radio were interviewed for an oral history project. Pacifica Radio network set up the interview, which took place in Cabool at what is hoped to be the future main studio for a new community radio station. Doug George of Pacifica Radio in New York hosted the interview.

Gene Colliflower of Huggins, Kazie Perkins of Willow Springs and Myron Jackson of Cabool were the local participants. They discussed the needs for local programming to deal with the issues affecting area residents.

HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY RADIO BEGINS
AS RADIO FOR PEOPLE GAINS FCC VICTORY

Filing  Window Opens: October 12-22

After years of waiting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened a filing window for full-power noncommercial radio licenses this week -- from October 12 to October 22. The window is seen by media democracy activists as a rare and historic opportunity, as it will probably be the last chance that non-profits have to obtain a full-power station for years to come. Hundreds are expected to apply for local stations, establishing a new generation of community radio broadcasters.

Radio for People Coalition

Members of the Radio for People Coalition estimate that more than 200 applications will be filed by local residents for community radio stations. Radio for People, a national coalition of individuals and organizations for promoting community radio, was formed in 2006 to help community radio applicants prepare for this filing window.

The coalition includes: Pacifica Radio, Common Frequency, Free Press, Future of Music coalition, National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB), Prometheus Radio Project and Public Radio Capital. Various activist, radio engineers, and FCC lawyers have also donated countless hours of service to the coalition's work.

A Victory for Community Radio

On the eve of the filing window, community radio gained a victory when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set a limit of 10 applications per group during the application window.  The Radio for People Coalition, as well as thousands of others across the country, had called on the FCC to set this limitation.  Continued...