Prometheus Press Center

Prometheus De-Livered

Our Periodic Newsletter

February 2002

Contents

[WRYR Goes on the Air This Month]
[Activist Agenda for Low Power FM]
[FCC Anthrax Scare]
[Prometheus Files Comments in Emergency Alert System (EAS) issue at FCC]
[Price Research]
[March Demonstration at the FCC]

[Get Prometheus De-livered in the comfort of your own electronic mail box -- register online]

WRYR Goes On The Air This Month!

It looks like about 150 low power FM applicants, DJs, engineers, lawyers, independent journalists and others will gather at the water's edge at the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland to start up the closest low power radio station to Washington DC. The station will be licensed to South Anne Arundel Citizens for Responsible Development, (SACReD).

SACReD is a grassroots, community action organization dedicated to preserving sustainable, environmentally responsible communities along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. In the last few years, the group saved nearly 500 acres of wetlands on the Bay from development, convincing the state and county to purchase the land for a natural wetlands park. This is exactly the sort of group that low power radio was meant for. With groups like SACReD as stewards of the airwaves, there is hope for a more democratic media.

For an update on the conference, and general information like schedules, direction, and registration, see the conference website http://oldsite.prometheusradio.org/barn.shtml

To see the planned set-up for the equipment that we will be putting together there, including our exciting new free internet linking software, go to: http://oldsite.prometheusradio.org/barn_how_studio.shtml

		June 1 FCC Releases List of Grantable Applications Join a Prometheus Workgroups Putting it All Together February WRYR Goes on the Air This Month Activist Agenda for Low Power FM Microradio in Court FCC Anthrax Scare Prometheus Comments on Emergency Alert System (EAS) Price Research March Demonstration at the FCC News From the FCC November What's New In LPFM Lake County Radio on the Air Appendix B Status Screwed up By Congress Fundraising Help Corporations Who Own Too Much Something Rotten in the State of California Call for Computer Programmers and Wireless Explorers: Research projects in streaming links and WIFI July 90 Construction Permits Released, First LPFM on the Air New Low Power Email List Appendix B Applications and Petitions to Deny Scamologist Alert! Rumour Control

Activist Agenda For Low Power Radio and Media Democracy

Throughout the barnraising weekend attendees will be asked to help compose an action campaign for the LPFM movement and it's role in media democracy advocacy. Beginning on Friday Feb. 15th we will review the basics of the state of media in the U.S. today including media ownership issues and upcoming developments such as corporate control of the internet. We will then all brainstorm in a round table discussion on organizing techniques to raise awareness about media issues and to oppose legislation and policies that would further consolidate corporate media power. The attendees will set the agenda for the weekend and lay the foundation for future organizing. There will be advanced workshops on specific issues as well for those interested in educating themselves further about media democracy issues.Expect some nationwide action proposals to come out a few days after the conference!

FCC Anthrax Scare

On February First, Anthrax was found in some of the FCCs mail. It was a trace amount- not enough to be a hazard, and it is not clear whether it was targeted at the FCC or was a result of cross contamination with other mail. Fortunately, there have been no reports of illness. The FCC is not accepting any mail except for overnight packages until further notice.

Prometheus Files Comments in Emergency Alert System (EAS) issue at FCC

Low Power FM stations are required to install an emergency alert system decoder as part of their radio station. Unfortunately, the only units available on the market are combination encoder/decoders, which run at least $1700. Prometheus and many others submitted comments requesting that the FCC continue its policy of waiving the EAS requirement until the price of the units comes down. Check out our comments.

Price Research

Prometheus has been doing a lot of price and feature research on transmitters and other equipment. Prices are definitely dropping to seduce the low power fm market as manufacturers gear up to produce more low power units. Call us before you buy stuff for your station. We have no financial interest in any company, and we watch the prices, features and quality of the various equipment on the market.

Demonstration at the FCC in March!

A coalition of media activists is planning a demonstration outside of the FCC in Washington DC on March 22 or 23. They are doing this in conjunction with Media Democracy week, and they will protest to call attention to the FCC's plans to dismantle many key regulations designed to stem the tide of monoply in media ownership. More details soon, but save the date!