While Ajit Pai has been a major opponent of pro-consumer initatives such as network neutrality and has been a staunch supporter of the mega-mergers, he has been the first Commissioner in awhile to champion radio issues such as AM Revitalization and support for the proposed C4 service class.  While we will continue to oppose Pai on telecom related issues such as his opposition to net neutrality, we hope that he can see the value that LPFM stations provide to listeners on both sides of the aisle.

On an Order in MB Dockets 07-294 and 10-234, the FCC has announced the suspension of the filing deadline for biennial ownership reports that would be filed by full-power non-commercial educational (NCE) stations.  This order only applies to biennial filings that are due on the anniversary of renewal dates.

The Media Bureau and full Commission actions of the past 24 hours only demonstrate that the LPFM rules are broken and also that the agency is unwilling to enforce certain sections of the Communications Act when it is inconvenient or, like in this case, they were called out on it. 

I am very disappointed by the Audio Division's decision on the Petition for Reconsideration filed by Vida Abundante, the licensee of first-generation LPFM station KJVA-LP, San Bernardino, CA regarding interference by second-generation station KHSH-LP, Redlands.  Instead of thinking outside the box and running some simple contours (like I did below), the Bureau fell back on a regulation that has been rarely applied in the broadcast context and dismissed the petition because it did not contain some kind of engineering affadavit. 

I'm already seeing questions being posted asking how the new administration is going to impact LPFM and radio in general.  

I do feel that broadcast radio is very bipartisan in nature because we all have something to gain from it.  Some worry that the new administration will put tighter controls on the media.  Despite previous statements by the president-elect made during the campaign, the first amendment protects our press freedom and our right to free speech.  The administration and Congress should realize it was because of these freedoms that we enjoy that they are or are going to be in office.