Davis Media Non-Profit Announces Plan to Create Community Radio Stations

DAVIS, CA – A Davis-based nonprofit says the Federal Communications Commission – after a pitched battle with for-profit radio conglomerates who opposed the decision – has announced it will now allow new wave of non-profit FM radio station licenses for local community groups around the U.S.

But, the application process is no slam-dunk – organizations must apply for these low power FM stations between October 15 and October 29 of 2013, according to Common Frequency, a national grassroots and community media assistance non-profit group based in Davis, California.

According to CF, applicants must be local nonprofit educational organizations, Tribes or Tribally-controlled organizations, or state or local governments or a non-government entities which will promise to provide public safety radio service to their communities.  

There will likely be fierce competition to get these free licenses to broadcast.  Applicants will also need to provide engineering studies, showing where their radio towers will be located, what areas will be served, proof that the signal will not interfere with other local radio frequencies, and more. 

But these are not insurmountable tasks, and once awarded, winning applicants will be able to broadcast to their communities – forever, maintains CF.

"The new LPFM rules are based in part on years of work by community radio advocates including Common Frequency. Our technical and policy recommendations are referenced over 70 times in the FCC's Sixth Report and Order," said Clay Leander, Common Frequency President. "Now we are pleased to offer that same expertise to help groups develop winning applications so they can get on the air."

CF Vice President Vanessa Maria Graber: "We're excited to see the opportunity for a wave of new community radio stations, granted by the passing of the Local Community Act, finally come to fruition.  Common Frequency looks forward to getting many new stations on the air in the coming years by using its collective expertise and background in building stations to provide support to Low Power FM hopefuls."

But, Common Frequency warns that the "once in a lifetime opportunity" will close in just over three months, and that non-profits have no time to waste.  Organizations should contact Common Frequency for help at http://www.commonfrequency.org. or lpfm@commonfrequency.org.

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