Resolution Supporting FCC Provision for Legal Low Power FM Broadcast

WHEREAS, the City of Salida is committed to the principles of free speech as guaranteed in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, citizens of our community hold the broadcast airwaves to be public property, and a public trust; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not made Low Power FM broadcast frequencies available for community use since 1978, when regulatory changes eliminated "Class D" FM broadcast licenses for less than 100 watts of power; and

WHEREAS, the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has led to an unprecedented consolidation of broadcast industry ownership, and a marked decrease in both local and minority ownership of stations and origination of programming; and

WHEREAS, the FCC is now hearing public comment on a proposal to once again offer simple, affordable, non-commercial Low Power FM broadcast licenses (FCC's MM Docket No. 95-25); and

WHEREAS, non-commercial radio stations operating under such a license could provide a community voice to all individuals, including musicians, artists, writers, activists, students, and those persons with other points
of view, and starting a non-commercial radio station can be cost prohibitive; and

WHEREAS, issuance of said licenses could consitute a net benefit to the social, political and cultural life of Salida and its citizens, and to similar rural communities;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of Salida, as follows;

1: That the City of Salida supports the concept of Low Power radio stations, and urges the FCC to fulfill its mandate as guardian of a public resource, and to enact a licensing regulation to grant affordable, simple, non-commercial licenses to citizens of this community and others in this country.

2: That the City of Salida supports lawful endeavors to advocate such regulatory change, and to enrich the life of our diverse community through legally establishing a non-commercial public access radio outlet.

APPROVED, ADOPTED, AND RESOLVED this 1st day of March, 1999.

Passed by unanimous vote.