For Immediate Release
Contact Hannah Miller at 202-736-5733
hmiller@media-democracy.net [1]

WASHINGTON – The Media and Democracy Coalition applauded the passage of the Local Community Radio Act by the U.S. House of Representatives last night on a voice vote. The bill, H.R. 1147, would allow hundreds of community groups, educational institutions, and other non-profits to apply for licenses for small, low-power stations.

This victory is ten years in the making for many members of the Media and Democracy Coalition, who have engaged in national, grassroots advocacy for the right to expand local community media outlets. The bill would reverse Congressional restriction adopted in 2000 that prohibited the FCC from licensing low-power stations in the top 50 media markets, and their 160 million listeners.

“The public deserves a rich, local community media environment, and the Local Community Radio Act would bring us much closer to achieving that goal,” said Executive Director Beth McConnell. “We urge the Senate to pass this bill swiftly.”

Prometheus Radio Project, the Future of Music Coalition, The United Church of Christ Office of Communication Inc., Free Press, Reclaim the Media, People’s Production House, and many other organizations have been a part of the campaign. Its companion legislation, S. 592, now moves to the Senate floor, having already passed through the Senate Commerce Committee.

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The Media and Democracy Coalition is a collaboration of over thirty local and national organizations committed to amplifying the public's voice in shaping media and telecommunications policy.

On the Web at http://www.media-democracy.net/ [2]