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FCC attacking Communities
July 4, 2009
FCC attacking handicap people's opportunities. FCC Breaks own rules and harms Michigan communities.
The FCC in its wisdom, has decided to shoot itself in the foot, again; and, at the same time kill any chance for small communities to have their own radio stations. To make matters worse their actions are harming the Foundation, the Society for Accurate Information and Distribution.
The facts are: an individual had some small community non-commercial radio stations throughout the state of Michigan. The FCC is very rigid on technical information and operation of stations. This individual was a little too sloppy in these procedures. It is important to note that no harm to other stations and no harm to the communities occurred. The most serious infraction was the reported location of a transmitter site that was not accurate enough for the FCC. The site was located about a mile from where it was reported. There is strong justification for the FCC to be angry.
The individual realized his mistakes and gave the radio stations, free, to the Foundation along with the transmitters and various other pieces of valuable equipment. The FCC then asked the Foundation to clean up the problems. A recommendation was proposed that would solve the problems to the FCC's satisfaction. Why? Because it was the FCC's own recommendations polished and put into English. This proposal was forwarded to the FCC along with the license transfers.
The FCC for some reason decided not to act on this solution. It left the Foundation in limbo and refuse to act responsibly by opening the door so that the Foundation could walk through the doorway and fix the problems.
In the mean time the Foundation ran two the community stations, one critically needed the transmitter site to be moved so that the programming signal could reach the transmitter with stability. The request to move the transmitter site can not happen until the license was issued. This one station flounders, being off the air most of the time, while the transmitter broadcasts a silent signal.
The other station now has a solid listening base with the community enjoying the information and music not found on typical stations. This remaining station is in jeopardy of being mandated by the FCC to be turned off.
The other stations were in various levels of construction. Each would serve the community where the station was placed. Conversationally think of covering a large school district with the primary signal.
The intent of the Foundation was to make these community radio stations and when the different communities had no local programming, a network feed would provide programming. This is the type of station where a local soccer game or town gathering, or sandlot baseball could easily be part of the programming.
The FCC refuses to act responsibly and is stonewalling so that the Foundation cannot fix the problems. Repeated letters to the Commission stating that time was of an important consideration, construction permits were good for only so long, and the leases on the transmitter sites were running out.
The FCC does consider the Foundation qualified to hold licenses, two other applications were granted for stations. In fact the Foundation has over 80 years of experience operating and maintaining broadcasting facilities. The majority of the board are licensed broadcast engineers with experience in building radio and television stations as well as the operations of these facilities.
The FCC is becoming belligerent and angry because the Foundation had clocks running and repeatedly insisted that the Commission do its job. The clock is operating and the FCC sat on it backside doing nothing.
Now through legal releases from the Commission the FCC is going after the previous owner for those errors that occurred and pulling construction permits and mandating the ceasing of operation on one of the stations while ignoring the gentlemen's agreement that has left the Foundation exposed to reticule and financial insolvency.
By not holding up to their agreement the FCC has made it impossible to find the funding to do the work needed. Others who wish to carve up these frequencies for their own advantage are interfering with the process of the Foundation's legitimate business of fund-raising. Why? Because without having licenses for over a year, the Foundation loses credibility.
If the FCC becomes humane again, will it be too late? The marathon runner has been beaten to a pulp. There is nothing left to run the race, even though this should have been the natural conclusion.
The Foundation's resources are depleted, no contributors, with some small exceptions are contributing, the Foundation's reputation and strength is more than depleted.
The efforts of strong community programming and bringing in fragile individuals to participate and be trained is gone. The Foundation desired to bring these people who are disabled, or coming out of a situations where they need help getting back on their feet is gone.
Think of it, if you are in a wheel chair and can't get out. There are ways to bring these people into the process. The FCC has slammed the door and along with its vengeful attitude has damaged this Foundation and the communities and people the Foundation serves.
But yet, the Foundation is not alone with major harm caused by the FCC. Major radio and televison stations are in serious jeopardy because of the non-traditional burdens placed upon them. How many TV station are now only able to serve their community through subscription services? Too many.
It has been a long downward slide by the FCC over the past twenty years. Until recently the Commission has been at least civil and co-operative in nature. This is no longer the case.
Copyright 2009 Wall of News