Pirate Radio: Free Speech

This is a must-see film called Pirate Radio USA. The film makes disturbing points about radio and free speech while it documents the growing number of pirate radio stations appearing (again). The film is informative and inspirational.

There is a bill in Congress that will allow public non-profit low power FM stations (link below). The bill is very restrictive, limiting it's value. Last year it did gain 100 signers. 

I'll probably add more to this post, later, as I run across it. 

Pirate Radio 

DiYm&DiA: Tracks FCC, multi-media files, culture jamming and radio news. Excellent site.

HR1147 was introduced 02/26/09 to allow low power public radio; The Local Community Radio Act. 

Free Association: Low Power to the People by Larisa Mann, The Nation, 10/30/08

"Imagine turning on the radio and hearing news about your neighborhood, or local music, or information about local issues. Now imagine building your own transmitter, broadcasting over the local airwaves information on local politics, interviews with activists and artists, or playing your favorite local music. Sound good? Welcome to the world of low-power radio, a growing national movement of people-powered broadcasting."

"A 2006 Future of Music Coalition (FMC) study found that just 15 formats describe three-quarters of all commercial radio. While the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) counts "rock" and "arena rock" as distinctly separate music categories, lauding the diversity of the airwaves, FMC notes that much of the music is the same. Indeed, up to 80 percent of songs in those "different" categories are overlap. Radio playlists are hot commodities for major labels that pay for inclusion." 

"Clear Channel, for example, now owns almost 1,200 radio stations, effectively controlling the rock market."

"Consolidation limits political and news reporting, too: Commercial radio doesn't represent the vast range of political and social concerns out there. In the past, the FCC regulated media ownership, with the idea in mind that the country is better off when diverse voices are speaking, debating and making music. Unfortunately, just like with net neutrality, corporate media lobbied to change the rules, and many diverse voices disappeared."

ABC Memo Reveals Air America Advertiser Blacklist (100), 10/31/06, Media Matters

It's pretty hard to operate a commercial radio station without major corporate advertisers. REI responded that they did not request their ads to be withheld from Air America. So what happened?