Prometheus Commends FCC on Calvary Chapel Dismissals

March 29th, 2004

Prometheus Radio Project commends the FCC on its' recent action dismissing Low Power FM radio applications which violate the Commission's rules. Alan Korn of The National Lawyers Guild Committee On Democratic Communications, filed numerous objections on behalf of the NLG, Prometheus Radio Project, and the Microradio implementation Project. These objections opposed the duplicative applications filed by Calvary Chapel organizations around the country.

Between 2000 and 2001, approximately 151 organizations named Calvary Chapel (Calvary Chapel of Grants Pass, Calvary Chapel Zanesville, etc). filed identical applications for non-commercial Low Power FM radio licenses. These applications often duplicated each other word for word in important statements and exhibits, such as in their statement of local educational program.

The FCC's recent dismissals send a strong message that abuse of the Low Power FM radio application process will not be tolerated. The statement of educational purpose is an opportunity for the applicant to reflect on the serious responsibilities of operating a radio station. The statement also is designed to allow applicants to present their unique ideas and dreams to the Commission. Finally, this information also allows other applicants, the press, and members of the public to gain insight into the plans and motivations of the applicant.

In elementary school, we all learned that if two students turned in the same exact paper, the teacher would recognize this as an act of plagiarism. The test of local presence and local educational mission is an important aspect of the LPFM application process. The FCC's license application requires the applicant to describe how its educational work relates to specific local issues. The dismissed Calvary Chapel applications failed to adhere to this basic obligation for LPFM applicants.

Requiring an applicant to identify local goals is a key element in preventing abuse of the LPFM service by those who do not intend to comply with the FCC's localism rules. We are very grateful that in this matter, the FCC has chosen to take localism seriously. We also thank the National Lawyers Guild Committee for Democratic Communications for its role in taking this matter up with the Commission.