(Source: Radio World via Mike Hansgen)
Pirate Radio Bill Formally Introduced
Bipartisan legislation designed to thwart and penalize radio pirates and supporters
BY SUSAN ASHWORTH, MAY 9, 2018
Another legislative step has been taken in the effort to fight illegal pirate radio operations.
On May 8, Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) formally introduced a bill to Congress designed to thwart and penalize illegal radio operations.
Known as the ‘‘Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act,” the PIRATE Act will increase the ability of the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on pirate activity by increasing fines, streamlining enforcement and placing liability those who facilitate illegal radio broadcasts.
“It is time to take these pirates off the air by hiking the penalties and working with the Federal Communications Commission on enforcement,” Lance said in a statement. Chairman Pai and Commissioner O’Rielly have been able partners in making sure these broadcasts are stopped. This bill will give the FCC even more tools to take down these illegal broadcasts.”
As a commissioner who has long been searching for more Congressional authority to address pirate radio operations, FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly commended the effort after the news was announced.
“This bill rightfully increases the penalties, requires regular enforcement sweeps, and augments the tools available to the commission, which are woefully inadequate and outdated, to deal with illegal pirate broadcasters,” O’Rielly said in a statement.[…]
Back in the 60’s before FM radio was predominantly rock, FM was interesting to listen to because of the diversity of what was on. Jazz, opera, offbeat music from different stations made it interesting. There was even a magazine called FM guide where you could plan what to listen to.
Now it is mostly rock, at least out here. Boring. Hi ho hi ho it’s off to AM I go hi hi.
Your comments are too reasonable for a government willing to control not just content but now, increasingly, just having opinions expressed. If it passes, that shows how much the Deep State is aligned to Congress (and vice-versa!).
Hmmm. In my opinion this issue could be handled another way. The FCC could easily grant more LPFM licenses, at a cheaper cost, to them, and the pirates. They might even make a buck or two. By doing so, they would also give voice to the often under-served communities who take to the airwaves without a license. I think that pirate broadcasting can be considered an act of civil disobedience. I know the civil disobedience argument isn’t new, but neither have the merits of civil disobedience disappeared. Licensing more LPFM stations could help to create a healthier media ecology than the one we live in now. In a healthy ecosystem the smaller species are just as vital to its health as those at the top of the food chain.
Personally, I’m always more inclined to listen to a pirate, LPFM station, or community or college station where a diversity of formats helps offset the stale programming I’d find across the dial otherwise, no matter where I am in the country. In the same way that big-box stores and chain restaurants leech the regional color out of our diverse American culture, so too do the conglomerate media companies steal the sap from the home grown programs and artists we might otherwise hear. Over-the-air TV could have been very different too if local, regional, community oriented programs and entertainment hadn’t been canceled from the schedule.
… anyway, thanks for listening. I’ll step off the soap box now.