July 31, 2003                                                                                      AMENDMENT ONE

“LPFM SUMMER”

By Don Schellhardt

        Faith moved mountains in June  --   and again in July.

        In June, as I reported previously, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved an expanded version of S. 1046.    Thanks to an amendment by Senator Byron Dorgan, D-ND, the new version would restore both the nationwide ceiling on TV ownership and the more broadly based restrictions on media cross-ownership.

         In July, by a vote of 400-21, another blow was struck.   Using a “rider” to an Appropriations bill   --   the same technique used by large broadcasters to pass restrictive legislation on Low Power FM in 2000   --   advocates of media diversity won House approval for restoration of the previous TV ownership ceilings.   

         The House defeated an amendment, offered by Representative Maurice Hinchey, D-NY, that would have restored the media cross-ownership limitations as well.    However, a switch by just 1 of every 7 House Members would have changed the outcome.   Thus, House approval of restored cross-ownership caps is still a real possibility through a re-vote, particularly if the full Senate votes that way first.

         I call these votes a victory for faith because that’s what they were.   In just 3 months, over 2 million people contacted Congress and/or the FCC to oppose media consolidation.   These people must have hoped, or believed, despite the odds, that enough Davids, firing their slingshots together, could bring down a few Goliaths.

         And these 2 million Davids were right!!      ….    So far   …      But   …

         We must keep up the pressure while legislators are home for the August Recess.

         That’s why the advocacy group I lead, THE AMHERST ALLIANCE , has joined with others to launch the “LPFM SUMMER” campaign. “LPFM SUMMER” urges citizens to take “2 STEPS 2 ADVANCE 2 GOALS”.

          The 2 steps are:   (1) writing or Faxing the Washington offices of your 1 U.S. Representative and 2 U.S. Senators, during a Recess period when staffers are less busy, distracted and/or pre-occupied than usual; and  (2) calling the local offices of the same legislators to arrange personal meetings with them, while they are back home.    Show ‘em they can leave Washington , but they can’t escape the heat.

          The 2 goals are restoring:   (1) all media ownership ceilings, including cross-ownership ceilings; and  (2) previous channel spacing standards for Low Power FM.

          Regarding LPFM:   In 2000, citing concerns about radio interference, Congress tightened channel spacing standards for LPFM.   This move eliminated 2 of every 3 possible LPFM stations.  However, on July 10, in response to a legal filing by THE AMHERST ALLIANCE and 18 others, the FCC released a previously secret MITRE Corporation study.   It confirms LPFM interference is not a problem.

          “LPFM SUMMER” could eventually prove as important for the cause of human freedom as “The Summer Of Love” in 1969.    So   …   Please make your summer count   --   by taking “2 STEPS 2 ADVANCE 2 GOALS”.

           More information will be posted next week on www.amherstalliance.org

COPYRIGHT 2003 BY DON SCHELLHARDT