Art Bell, the most popular overnight radio talk show host in America, devoted a segment of his Wednesday night/Thursday Morning show (3/25 – 3/26) to the issue of free radio. Art garners a cumulative total of 26 million listeners a day.
It was a great opportunity to advance the publicity (and the idea) of free radio to the masses. But did it really do the job? Unfortunately, things started out well, but thanks to the spontaneity that is both Art’s blessing and curse, the big opportunity may have been blown.
The first hour of the “pirate radio” segment began wonderfully. Art Introduced ACE President Pat Murphy, and they talked up the “good feeling/bad boy” side of free radio. Pat and Art discussed how they, as kids, did the same thing others are doing today and getting SWAT teams up the wazoo for it. Continue reading “The Art Bell Reaction”
Month: March 1998
Radio Mutiny on Tour
Radio Mutiny, an east coast microbroadcaster, recently took its message DIRECTLY to the people. Instead of confining themselves and their acts of enlightenment and empowerment to west Philadelphia, Radio Mutiny took to the open road. Here’s their take on all the fun. This is the kind of proactive outreach that showcases all things good about free radio.
From January the Twentieth to March the Tenth, Radio Mutiny’s rag-tag band of buccaneers gallivanted from city to city up and down the Eastern Seaboard, leaving a trail of Free Radio in the twenty-five cities in our wake. We sailed the highways in our decrepit vessel, which broke down and needed repairs in more than a few ports of call, we braved the tempestuous weather, the scurrilous incursions of the highway patrol, and damned near contracted scurvy at sea on our diet of gas station junk food. In every town that we put in, however, the townspeople welcomed us with open arms, gave us their beds and properly victualed us, and made every effort to assist us on our journey. Over the course of our voyage, we had opportunity to meet with many hundreds of the ordinary citizens who have been banned from the seas of media by the policies of the wealthy. Continue reading “Radio Mutiny on Tour”
RM-9208 Petitioners Talk Back
This is the text of written comments filed with the FCC by the RM-9208 Petitioners (Nick Leggett, Judith Leggett and Don Schellhardt) on Wednesday March 4, 1998. It shows you how the LPFM discussion is evolving within the free radio community, and how some consensus-building can do good things. So now, what’s next?
We, the undersigned Petitioners, whose Petition is the subject of Docket No. RM-9208, hereby submit written comments. We are three private citizens, motivated by a desire to advance the public interest and a deep concern for the future of America.
SUBMISSION OF A VIDEOTAPE AS ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE Continue reading “RM-9208 Petitioners Talk Back”
Counting Your Chickens
We’ve all heard that old adage, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” While it’s an overused cliché, it’s very applicable to the free radio community right now.
The buzz in the movement is all about the two proposals for an LPFM service filed with the FCC over the past couple of weeks. It’s important to remain realistic. While the FCC has received both Petitions for Rulemaking and is currently accepting comments on them, we shouldn’t lose sight of some simple facts:
Free Radio remains illegal. Check this scenario: the FCC receives a complaint about a “pirate” in the area. Through their voluminous investigative means, they’re able to track down the “pirate.” After taking field measurements, the goons get permission to move in. As they drive up to the station, they can hear the signal strong and clear. The lead goon knocks on the door, and the station op opens it. As they muscle in, the op can be heard crying, “Wait! The rules are changing! What I’m doing won’t be illegal for long!” Continue reading “Counting Your Chickens”