A couple of weeks ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that a High School radio station in Maynard, MA was about to lose its license. WAVM-FM’s frequency of 91.7 is about to be turned over to California-based Living Proof, Inc. The FCC declared that the Christian broadcaster would make better use of the public airwaves. Since when does a corporation whose vision is "To edify the body of Christ and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through anointed praise and worship music with sound bible teaching," serve the public better than a locally-operated high school radio station?
Let’s look at what’s at stake here. WAVM-FM has been around for 35 years. It has been a haven and a place of learning for hundreds of high school students. It has enjoyed solid community support and taught the students the important lesson of "taking care of your own". The students bring local news, events and even Church services to the airwaves. The radio station has become a focal point of the community and enjoyed such broad support that the School Committee petitioned the FCC to make major changes to the station by going to 250 watts from 10 watts. This would have increased the station’s reach and brought more of the community into its listening area. Instead of working with the community in insuring that no child is left behind, the FCC ruled in favor of a faith-based organization headquartered on the West Coast. According to the FCC:
"Living Proof is the only applicant to claim that it would provide a new first or second NCE service to 10 percent of the population, and to at least 2,000 people, within its service area, and therefore, that it is eligible for a fair distribution preference. Based on Living Proof’s submissions and calculations, it appears that Living Proof qualifies for a preference. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 73.7004 of the Commission’s rules, we identify Living Proof as the tentative selectee. Group 990705 thus will not proceed to a point hearing."Perhaps the Commissioners should make a field trip to Maynard and speak to the residents. If they took their collective heads out of the bureaucratic sands of Washington they would see that the current radio station serves its community in such a broad way that Living Proof couldn’t even begin to compete. There’s nothing wrong with religious broadcasting, quite the contrary. It serves a useful purpose in the community providing spiritual nourishment to those members of the public who crave the same. We wonder why the younger generation is so cynical about the electoral process and American politics. How can a community-supported radio station housed in the local High School compete with a corporate entity? How many other community-based radio stations will fall victim to network radio?
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
damn, totally agree with you Silas - at the high school level the radio station is an invaluable teaching tool: I started in high school radio and it gave me a huge head start for when I got to college. This is el wrongo
2 - Nancy
To begin with, this is a gross violation of church & state.
3 - Aaman
This is living proof that everyone must acknowledge the worth of Syed Jesus, Arch-Commissar of the Islamic Jihad of Jesustan
4 - Warren
Forget church and state -- it's just a really bad idea all the way around. From a Christian perspective -- how receptive an audience do they really think they're going to get after yanking the local high-school off the air. High school should be about learning -- these kids are learning something useful, and now it's being taken away. BAD idea.
Someone needs to beat Living Proof Ministries with a very large stick.
And the Living Proof Inc website is a perfect reminder that Microsoft Front Page is a bad thing.
5 - Silas Kain
Thanks, Eric. You know and appreciate the worthiness of high school radio. My heart goes out to these kids. WAVM has served as a great learning tool and, to me, is a tangible return on the investment of the taxpayers. It's not so much as church vs. state with me as it is about Federal interference that may be "well intentioned" but does not serve the local community's interest in the least. I can't emphasize how important it is that people take notice. They have three weeks before the final ruling. If you recognize the importance that WAVM continues its work, please contact the FCC, your Congressperson and/or the White House.
6 - Silas Kain
These kids have less than two weeks. I hope people are taking notice of this matter. I'd hate to see those kids lose their radio station.
7 - Dave Nalle
Isn't the FCC's basic position here that the christian station would end up with a lot more listeners than the tiny wattage high school station and that therefore it would serve the public interest or at least the interests of more of the public better?
If that's their mandate, then the argument is hard to refute.
On the other hand, the kids do deserve a station. I say they go pirate and fight to free the airwaves. That will be more educational for them too.
dave
8 - Nancy
I'm getting REAL tired of this BS trend in which the little guy loses any rights if someone bigger & richer comes along & can pull more - of anything - & wants whatever it is the little guy currently has. It's just plain WRONG.
9 - Dave Nalle
The problem here, Nancy, is that the government controls the airwaves. It ought to be in the hands of a private management group of some sort.
Dave
10 - Silas Kain
Perhaps the Christians would end up with a lot more listeners, Dave, but the community has been served quite well by these bright students. It's not only a radio station. It is a place where kids gather after school and do constructive things with their time. It's a station that the community looks to as its own. It is to Maynard what the Packers are to Green Bay. Well, you know what I mean. These kids and their advisors have done a great job and in America I thought we rewarded people for a job well done. I can't emphasize enough how crucial it is that people get behind tehse kids. They have 11 days until the ruling comes down. Surely there are enough visitors to BlogCritics who believe as I do on this particular issue. Please, for the love of all that is good in this world, send a note or make a phone call.
11 - Janet
Dave says it's hard to argue, because the ruling follows the FCC's rules. And I don't think Dave is saying he likes those rules. The problem is, the rules don't make sense. Why should a 35-year-old station's frequency be up for grabs just because they applied for more wattage? If that request interferes with other stations, just deny it and let them continue to do what they have done. But don't turn it into a free-for-all. And as Silas said, this station has had a huge impact on Maynard and surrounding communities. Google WAVM and FCC and you'll find articles describing what they've done. or go to www.wavm.org.
The problem with the FCC rules is that they are designed to let them make rulings based on a point system, apparently because they don't have the time to consider each case on its actual merits. I have a feeling the FCC has been flooded with letters from WAVM supporters by now (I sent mine). They're due it two days so it's too late to send one now.
Anyway, I do believe Maynard will be giving FCC a message they cannot ignore.
12 - Silas Kain
It's not too late, Janet. The best thing that folks can do if they want to lend the kids of Maynard a hand is to send an email to the White House and call your local Congressperson or Senator's office. This is one of those 'local' issues that has a national impact.
13 - pk
Who is running the FCC ? . Mr Doyle , Do you hold this position by quilification ? Or by appointment ?. The manual of rules and regs. May not always apply. As we have just seen with FEMA . You have to be in touch with the situation. Sitting on your ass , and quoting section 47 U.SC 307(b)... Well a couple of Monkeys could do that .There are many kids and an education involved here ( Careers ) . Someone from the FCC/LPI , has to take a look at what WAVM does.It provides a unique learning experience, that most other High Schools don't . Maynard has been on the airwaves for over 30 years.There are many students that went on into Radio / tv. Carees . ( look at the facts ). Do we need a new religois radio station ? . I dont know ? ( I attend Mass ). If living proof , is an Inc. That practices what they preach . Why would they denie the rights of this School too contineu with this highly educational program ? ( Does LPI denie their rights ? are these kids sinfull/subversive ?. I can only hope that someone from the (FCC/LPI ), will see that this is an unique situation . Losing the radio signal will definatly put some more kids at home / on the streets with nothing to do after school. They love doing their radio programs . *FCC Sides with Christian Incorporation over high school education .
PS, LPI , Woud you intren any "WAVM" students to work at your new radio station , With many different religous beliefs ?. These kids do know what their doing . Come see for yourself .
PK