Senate Commerce Committee Approves the Local Community Radio Act

Senate Commerce Committee Approves the Local Community Radio Act (4:30)

Seven years ago, the Federal Communications Commission recognized the need for more diversity in programming on the radio airwaves. The FCC began taking applications for new Low Power FM radio stations. But the new broadcasting window was immediately closed due to lobbying by powerful corporate radio interests. Educational institutions, labor unions, churches, towns, and community groups seeking to start Low Power radio stations have faced restrictive license requirements that limit community access to the airwaves.

But there is new hope this week. The Senate Commerce Committee has approved the Local Community Radio Act. The legislation is designed to ease licensing restrictions enough to allow for hundreds of new non-commercial stations. FSRN's Andalusia Knoll has more: