Roger Skinner's Original LPFM Petition

[Carmine5]

Here is a link to Mr. Skinner's original LPFM petition. He proposed a commercial service similar to LPTV with licenses awarded by lottery instead of auction.

http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Filings/rm9242.pdf

It was an elegant proposal and would have made LPFM a service truly worth considering. It certainly would have satisfied the women and minority ownership requirements which the FCC is now scrambling to redress.

Instead we have an LPFM mess dominated by godcasters. Of those stations that are not religiously affiliated most are fighting for survival as witnessed by the high number of emails from such stations through Prometheus asking for suggestions on how to raise money just to stay on the air.

This is why LPAM, should it ever come to light, must be monitored and shepherded carefully in order to avoid the evisceration that befell the LPFM service.

In the meantime, Part 15 AM is a worthwhile alternative for getting community radio on the air quickly.

C5

 

[Timewarp]

Had the FCC made LPFM commercial, the licenses would have only gone to wealthy Americans
and those who love money.

 

[Carmine5]

Not necessarily so.

If you read Mr. Skinner's petition he proposed a number of requirements and incentives that would have limited the size and scope of these stations. They would have truly been "small businesses", perfect for serving a community while not interfering with the business and operations of mega radio consolidators or even mid-size combo owners.

C5