FCC reneges on its commitment to localism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Bush, KTRU Station Manager
Tel: 832.588.4700
Email: kevin.r.bush1@gmail.com

FCC reneges on its commitment to localism
Decision to allow transfer of KTRU license contrary to the public interest

HOUSTON, April 17, 2011— Friends of KTRU, a group of students, alumni and community members devoted to stopping the sale of KTRU’s non-commercial (NCE) FM license, notes with disappointment the recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the transfer of KTRU’s FM license from Rice University to the University of Houston System (UHS). The decision shows a lack of commitment on the part of the FCC to its own public statements regarding the importance of localism and diversity in American broadcast media.

If the segment of the FM radio dial reserved for noncommercial stations is now also subject to the unobstructed machinations of the free market, it is highly likely that local voices will increasingly disappear from American broadcast radio. Indeed, evidence of such a trend is already overwhelming, and it is quite clear that market forces are promoting uniformity at the expense of diversity. Only through protection by a government agency properly enforcing its mandate to regulate this resource on behalf of the public, and thus maintaining sources of relevant locally produced programming, will such stations continue to exist and enrich the public cultural discourse of their communities.

The degree to which a station serves its local community can be evaluated independently of its particular format. We propose that in the future, the FCC not hold itself hostage to outmoded precedents running contrary to its stated goals, but instead consider and base its regulations and actions on what is truly in the public interest, to spare other communities the fate of a media bereft of meaningful local voices.

Regardless of FCC sanction, the short-sighted and unnecessary sale by Rice of a culturally important student-created asset without the assent of its students or alumni would be a terrible betrayal, while the purchase by UHS of an additional radio station for $9.5 million would be fiscally irresponsible for a state institution at a time when the state’s budget is in a state of crisis.

“We are extremely grateful for the thousands of supporters who stood by KTRU when we filed our Petition to Deny,” said KTRU Station Manager Kevin Bush. “Although we are disappointed with the FCC’s decision, we continue to hope that either Rice or UH will withdraw from the deal. KTRU will continue broadcasting on 91.7 FM until further notice, and we will provide updates as soon as they become available.”

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