Today, the Audio Division of the Federal Communications Commission has swept the whole KUSF case under the rug with a miniscule $50K handslap and a granted transfer application.
In this modern day of the FCC, they find it more convenient to reach a "consent decree", sort of a plea bargain in the communications world instead of truly investigating potential wrongdoing.
The FCC's consclusion was because USF and CPRN (USC) fessed up about their deal in the transfer application, they did not "lie" to the FCC. They just violated the rules and admitted to it. To the FCC, this is not considered lack of candor as USF/CPRN did not lie to the FCC. This is similar to when the FCC fines TV broadcasters for admitted overages on their Children's Television Reports or admitted shortcomings in their public files.
REC supports substantial restrictions on ownership of multiple non-commercial educational stations to a point of being even stricter than commercial broadcasting. Educational radio is a true public service and like LPFM, needs to remain a controlled localized environment. When USC and mega-ministries like EMF are taking over college stations for major profit (and yes, these organizations have millions) instead of allowing the licenses to remain local, we are turning the reserved band into a mini-commercial band where EMF is Clear Channel, Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls is CBS and USC is Cumulus. '
In the short term, we need to support REC's proposal to the FCC that removes the cross-ownership restriction against student operated LPFM stations on campuses that have full power broadcast stations that shut out the students.
In the long term, we need reforms in non-commercial broadcast rules, especially where it comes to multiple ownership and localism. Congress is so concerned about the commercial band, they have turned a blind eye to the abuses that are taking place in the non-commercial FM and FM translator services.
My wide-brimmed hat goes off to those involved in the Save KUSF campaign. The fight is not over.
Michi Eyre
founder, REC Networks
