Today's decision in the 3rd Circuit was a major victory for localism, women, people of color and the overall public interest.
The court acknowledges what many of us knew all along, that the FCC's broadcast ownership restrictions are too lax and do nothing to promote diversity in ownership and programming.
While we, the public have achieved this victory, it is only one stepping stone. We must continue to close the gaps in broadcast law that preclude local organizations, minority groups and local ministries from being able to use local broadcast spectrum to convey their message because of national interests.
We must not lose focus on two other runaway trains where there is currently no codified ownership limits, I am referring to lack of ownership controls on non-commercial broadcast facilities and FM broadcast translators.
On behalf of REC Networks, I congratulate everyone at Prometheus Radio Project, Free Press, Media Access Project, Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ and the Georgetown Institute for their hard work to maintain some sanity in our spectrum.
REC's sights are currently set on July 12, the date when the FCC Media Bureau plans to present a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to establish procedures to enact section 5 of the Local Community Radio Act that distribute LPFM and Translator licenses based on community need.
Working with our allies, REC will continue to perform common sense analysis and comment accordingly.
Michi Eyre is the founder of REC Networks. http://recnet.com
