Philadelphia Weekly

NEWS AND OPINION

Low-Power to the People

WPEB broadcasts again from West Philly.

By Meir Rinde

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Nov. 21, 2007

If Prometheus Radio Project had its way, community groups that want to get on the radio wouldn't have to wait for an existing station to fold and go on the market. The organization has spent years pushing the FCC to allow more low-power FM stations, and has helped hundreds of community groups around the country apply for licenses.

But that hasn't helped aspiring broadcasters in Philadelphia and other big cities, where lobbyists for NPR and commercial radio stations argue that low-power stations cause signal interference.

Prometheus says the interference claims are bogus, and last month a U.S. Senate committee agreed, sending a bill to the full Senate that would allow the creation of more low-power stations, including many in urban areas. But for now, buying a station like WPEB remains the only way for many community groups to get on the FM dial.

"Certainly in urban areas, there's a real dearth of ways for people to have their voices heard," says Todd Wolfson of the Media Mobilizing Project. "This opportunity, through low-power radio, was a vital opportunity to get community voices out and heard."

Meir Rinde last wrote about the sale of Philadelphia's stock exchange. Comments on this story can be sent to letters@philadelphiaweekly.com

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