Our Issues

Many people know Prometheus for our work building radio stations or fighting in Congress to expand low power radio. In this section, we share a lesser-known side of our struggle to free the airwaves: the world of regulatory policy. In other words, the rules.

Rules about the airwaves (aka the radio spectrum) are set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is supposed to manage the radio spectrum as a public resource (just as other agencies manage other public resources, such as water or forests). The public can participate by commenting about proposed rules, or even proposing rules of our own. At Prometheus, we advocate for rules that allow greater access to the airwaves for those historically marginalized from media ownership. We think media should be controlled by communities, not corporations. We believe that communication is a fundamental right. Since so much communication relies on the radio spectrum (from radio to broadband to satellites), we see access to the spectrum as a right worth fighting for.

You can learn about our key regulatory issues in the menu on the right, or read below for the latest updates on our regulatory work.

Our Policy Updates

Highlights from the Sixth Report and Order

On November 30, 2012, the FCC released long-awaited new rules for low power radio stations. Overall, the Sxith Report and Order is a great victory for community radio, with more flexible rules about where stations can be located and stronger preference given to local, community-driven stations. Many of these new rules were the result of tenacious advocacy from Prometheus and our supporters. 

click here to read more ....
Clearing the Airwaves: Next steps in processing pending translator applications

January 2013

In late 2012, the FCC announced that they would begin accepting applications for new low power stations on October 15, 2013. At last! But we know that the FCC's predictions on timing aren't always set in stone (to put it mildly). So what are the steps ahead before the FCC can accept new applications for community radio stations? 

The biggest task ahead is that the FCC must deal with a backlog of pending applications for FM translators. These are repeater stations that extend the signal of existing radio stations. This is the issue most likely to affect the timing of the low power radio filing window.

Thousands of translator applications have been on hold at the FCC since 2003. To save room for low power radio stations in urban areas with limited spectrum, the FCC will be dismissing many of these translator applications. 

click here to read more ....
How many community radio channels will be available? Nationwide estimates!

How much room will there be for community radio in crowded radio markets? We can't know for sure, but we can make some informed guesses. 

click here to read more ....
FCC Update: New rules for low power radio expected this fall

FCC still working on low power radio rules and timeline

The FCC is still working on the final rules for low power radio, and we expect that they will come out later this fall. The biggest issue at stake is where new stations can be located (see a refresher on second adjacent frequencies). Prometheus has also asked the FCC to create a locally originated programming requirement for new low power stations, to ensure that licenses will be awarded to the organizations that will best serve their local communities--not more network radio.

But before the FCC can address the final rules for low power radio, the agency must respond to petitions to reconsider its recent rules for translator stations. The FCC will likely respond to the petitions with revised rules on translators early this fall.

Once the translator rules are out of the way, the FCC will release rules on low power radio and announce the dates for a low power radio application window. The FCC is still anticipating that the window could come as early as Spring/Summer 2013. Stay tuned for updates!

Other policy issues for community radio

click here to read more ....
Weigh in on new rules for community radio

The FCC is deciding on a slate of new rules for low power community radio, and they are asking the public to weigh in by May 7. The rules cover a number of important issues, including power levels, interference complaints, where stations can be licensed, and how the FCC should select among competing applicants.

click here to read more ....