Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, William Lee, who shares the Radio Survivor’s Podcast #166: The FCC’s Effort To Decimate Community Media:
The FCC has proposed to de-fund community media through an arcane rule that determines how contributions from cable companies to public-access, educational and government (PEG) stations are counted. Because it’s arcane, the effort is flying under the radar. But we have two community media advocates to help explain what’s at stake.
Martin Jones is the CEO of MetroEast Community Media in Gresham, Oregon, just one of hundreds of PEG stations that would be affected. Sabrina Roach serves on the board for the Alliance for Community Media Foundation, the charitable arm of the group that represents and organizes PEG stations across the U.S. They tell us how proposed changes to the “franchise fee” structure would deprive PEG stations, as well as internet access at libraries and schools, from direct funding. If passed, this would decimate both community media and digital equity in most communities that have it. They also explain what steps we can take to oppose this change.
Listen to the full podcast via the embedded player below, or listen via the Radio Survivor website:
Seems to me the podcast is produced for community media cognoscenti and not the general public. Maybe an appeal to the public would help, with a short but informative press release, a short video (less than 5 minutes) or a short podcast (less than 10 minutes). Listening to a 1+ hour podcast may be too much to ask of people unfamiliar with this issue.
Probably true, but I think the community radio organizer types need the briefing, especially since the FCC doesn’t see to give a rat’s patoot about them.