On the side of the angels (for once)

This story from the Associated Press states that the Federal Communications Commission has issued a report to Congress which is favorable to the establishment of small local radio stations. Some interesting discussion at Slashdot.

The monstermedia conglomerates, as you might expect, think this is a terrible idea. I mean, someone somewhere might hear something that wasn't piped straight from the corporate headquarters in San Antonio, and we can't have that! Several commentators on Slashdot have correctly pointed out that this is merely a recommendation to Congress. The monstermedia conglomerates will not be silent on this issue; their lobbyists will be plying Congress liberally with bribes and propaganda to block any action of this type. If you want to increase its chances of becoming more than a recommendation, write your Congresscritter and make it clear that you will be paying attention to their action on this issue. (Representatives here; Senators here.)

I'll be interested in seeing how this develops. Will it pave the way for a more diverse spectrum of broadcasting, with schools, churches, community groups, and/or energetic individuals or small businesses adding spice and variety to the bland banquet of Top-Forty Radio? Or will religious broadcasters (for example) grab up all the available airspace and turn it into wall-to-wall JesusRadio(TM)? Or will Monstermedia Inc. just buy up all the pennyante licences to idle them or turn them into more clones of their existing stations?

Stay tuned.

(Sorry. Couldn't resist that last.)