LPFM Gives a Voice to Local Organizations Nationwide to Help Balance the Anti-Latino and Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Washington, D.C. - The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) announces an opportunity for non-profits to have a voice on the radio. NHMC has been working closely with a coalition of media advocacy groups, led by Prometheus Radio Project, to afford community organizations the opportunity to obtain licenses for non-commercial radio stations (also known as low power FM or LPFM stations) in the communities they serve. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took one of the final steps to materialize the fruits of this struggle by voting to open the airwaves for thousands of new local radio stations. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel announced the expected LPFM application window to open October 15, 2013. This announcement is a huge victory for NHMC, which for years has been fighting for diversity in media ownership and against negative stereotypes in the media. "We joined this effort so that Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations could have a greater presence on the radio dial. We need a diversity of voices to help transform the anti-Latino and anti-immigrant discourse which dominates the radio," said Jessica Gonzalez, NHMC's Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn celebrated the Commission's decision to free up airwaves in urban communities. Urban areas have limited airwave availability due to the high number of commercial stations; the Commission will give urban organizations the ability to apply for LPFM stations via second-adjacent waivers. NHMC will continue working with the Prometheus Radio Project to help promote awareness of this opportunity to organizations nationwide. For more information about LPFM and the application process click here or call NHMC at (626) 792-6462. To listen to the Linea Abierta segment that aired on Radio, Bilingüe click here.]]>
