UK
UKCRN community radio conference to take place in Newcastle
This year’s the UK Community Radio Network, Connecting Communities Conference will be at Event Northumbria in Newcastle. […]
Month: October 2023
ASIA
India: TRAI recommends introducing ‘Low Power Small Range FM Radio Broadcasting’ service
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on “Issues related to Low Power Small Range FM Radio Broadcasting’.This followed a request issued last year by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on the need and timing for introduction of new services such as in drive-in theatres and other use cases of low power small range FM radio broadcasting like hospital radio services, amusement parks, business premises, closed communities such as residential complexes, small habitations, commentary for local events such as air shows and sports events.Low power refers to 1 watt and 500 metres coverage. The recommendations refer mainly to the use of FM for such narrow-coverage services, though “License/Registration/Authorization holders for low power small range FM broadcasting should be allowed to deploy any type of transmission technologies (analogue/digital/ any other)”.
The main features of the recommendations are:
Introduction of a new category of service provider called ‘Low Power Small Range FM Radio Broadcasting’ for provision of low power small range FM Radio.
License/registration/authorization to be granted through a simple registration process via an online application portal.
Approval by Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) for transmitting equipment for low power small range FM broadcasting.
Eligible entities to hold license registration authorization for ‘Low Power Small Range FM Broadcasting’ are individuals, companies registered under the Companies Act 2013 including LLP and partnership firms. But not political parties, companies with political or religious affiliation or control should be allowed to sue this form of low-power broadcasting.
The permission to operate is between 30 days and five years without any entry levy but requiring some authorization fees depending on the length of the authorisation period (between 1,000 and 10,000 rupees per year). This should be granted online by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Ministry of Communication through online portal within two days of submitting the application. […]
ASIA
Afghanistan: Taliban forces radio station to shut down, detains staff
The Taliban forced Nasim Radio, a local radio station in Daikundi province in central Afghanistan, to shut down on Wednesday, September 27. They also arrested its director and two reporters.According to Afghanistan Journalists’ Centre (AFJC), the employees were subsequently released after five hours, but the station remains closed.AFJC said that General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) forces raided the station’s office at approximately 12:00 PM and confiscated the employees’ work tools, including mobile phones and voice recorders, and sealed the gate of the radio station.
The GDI subsequently detained the head of the radio station, Sultan Ali Javadi, along with reporters Saifullah Rezaei and Mojtaba Qasemi.As of now, local Taliban officials have not commented on the reason for the closure of Nasim Radio and the arrest of its employees. However, AFJC cited a credible source indicating that it may be due to the rebroadcasting of programs from a foreign radio network.AFJC strongly condemns the attack on the radio station as an attempt to suppress and restrict the activities of free media. AFJC requests that the Taliban issue permission to reopen Nasim Radio and refrain from obstructing the free activity of media outlets and their employees.The Afghan Supporting Independent Media (NAI), also issued a statement saying that systematic restrictions on access to information have made the future of journalism in Afghanistan uncertain. It also expressed concerns about challenges such as limited access to information, lack of job security, and physical violence against journalists and media personnel.According to Afghanistan’s media law, media should be free to carry out their professional work without restrictions or threats. Officials should be supportive of the media and journalists.
Earlier this year, the Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture affirmed that no other entity has the right to interfere in media affairs or the work of journalists.Photo: AFJC […]
US
FCC Report 10/1: Liberty University Surrenders WQLU In Consent Decree
FCC Actions
Liberty University has agreed to turn in the license of student-run Christian CHR “90.9 The Light” WQLU Lynchburg VA as part of a Consent Decree with the FCC. Liberty will also pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the FCC to settle an investigation into violations of operating the station at a variance from its licensed parameters and making incorrect statements regarding the Station’s operations to the FCC.
In the agreement, Liberty admitted that WQLU operated at a variance from its licensed parameters for more than 5 years and “violated section 1.17(a)(2) of the Rules by providing
material factual information that was incorrect without a reasonable basis for believing that such material factual information was correct and not misleading. However, Licensee believed in good faith that the change in the Station’s tower site could be considered a correction of licensed coordinates rather than a site change, and thus Licensee did not intentionally provide false information to the Commission”. The station was licensed to operate from a site on Candlers Mountain with 100w/184m, but in 2011 sought an STA to operate from a site on Monogram Hill. The station stopped applying for STA renewals in 2015 leading to its approval expiring in May 2015. WQLU would once again seek an STA in August 2020 requesting permission to operate from Monogram Hill. Following an FCC inquiry, the station stated that its licensed tower had been dismantled but it had also resumed operations from a different tower on Candlers than specified in their license.
Liberty University also owns the “Journey FM” Christian AC network on eight stations and seven translators across Virginia and North Carolina based at 88.3 WRVL Lynchburg.
KGHL Radio LLC has entered into a Consent Decree and an $8000 fine for transferring Farm/Classic Country 790 KGHL/94.7 K234CP Billings MT from Taylor and Shannon Brown to trusts controlled by their children (he Courtney E. Brown Kibblewhite 2021 GST Trust and the Colter W. Brown 2021 GST Trust) without proper approval. The Browns filed the transfer of control application with the FCC in April 2022 despite the actual transfer being completed in October 2021.
Apple City Broadcasting Company agreed to a Consent Decreee and $1000 penalty for not notifying the commission of the deaths of three of their four shareholders and change of control of their 860 WACB Taylorsville and 1570 WTLK Taylorsville NC. The company was formed in 1993 with Roger Lee Brown and William Norris Keever holding 45% stakes and their respective wives Mary Alice Brown and Sara McClain Keever each holding 5% stakes. William Keever died in December 2020 with his wife gaining his shares. Mary Brown would pass in February 2021 moving her shares to her husband. Then in February 2022, Sara Keever died with her now 50% share passed to her niece Lisa McClain. No involuntary transfer of control applications were filed until April 2023 nor was FCC approval requested until then to make Linda McClain the controlling shareholder of the company.
Hunterdon Central High School Board of Education’s Country 90.5 WCVH Flemington NJ has entered into a Consent Decree and a $500 penalty for failing to timely file its license renewal application. WCVH’s renewal was due to be filed by February 1, 2022 but was not sent until May 23, 2023.
The FCC has issued a Notice of Violation to Birach Broadcasting for lack of painting and lights on the tower of 540 WGOP Pocomoke City MD on two visits in 2022. Birach has since sold WGOP to Roger Waters’ The Waters Group LLC.
Silent Notifications
Radio Amor Inc.’s 690 WADS Ansonia CT (Temporary antenna site disabled)
Partnership Radio’s 106.3 WUBU South Bend IN (Closing of sale to VCY America)
1520 Radio Asia LLC’s 1520 WTRI Brunswick MD (Transmitter site sold to city; land to be repurposed)
KM Radio of Lovelady’s 104.3 KHMR Lovelady TX (Loss of program source)
License Cancellations
Bonneville International has turned in the license for 98.1 K251AB Longmont CO. The translator had been rebroadcasting Sports “ESPN 1600” KEPN Denver via 104.3 KKFN-HD2 Longmont.
Ahead of reaching the one year deadline to return to the air, Family Stations has surrendered the license of 107.3 W297BQ Albany GA.
FM Changes […]
US
Jamtraxx Media & Radio Mixes To Cease Operations
Jamtraxx Media has announced that it and its syndicated Radio Mixes division will cease operations following their releases for the weekend of October 6. Led by Rob Austin, Jamtraxx and Radio Mixes currently produce 23 mixshows and had been distributed by United Stations. Austin will keep the Jamtraxx name alive through his programming consultancy that […] […]