Common Frequency: FCC Should Increase LPFM Power, Create Local Journalism Fund
Common Frequency CEO Todd Urick told Commissioner Anna Gomez that the FCC could help address concerns about declining local broadcast news by allowing low-power FM broadcasters to increase their power levels and creating an alternate funding source for local nonprofit…
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journalism, according to an ex parte filing posted in docket 24-14. Urick proposed that the agency create a nonprofit foundation to which commercial broadcasters could donate funds in exchange for exemptions from some public interest obligations, such as public file requirements. “These funds could go towards FCC grants for local nonprofit journalism initiatives and local nonprofit media,” the filing said. Previous FCC efforts to help local journalism, such as former FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s stalled proposal to prioritize applications from broadcasters that create local programming, have “faded,” the filing said. The lack of local news and programming is leading to a market failure soon to extend to local television and public radio.”