by Reckless

Free Radio Austin is an ever-changing collective of individuals, dedicated to reclaiming the "people's property": our public airwaves.

The Free Radio Movement came about as a reaction to large media comgolmerates accelerated push to acquire formerly independent newspapers, radio, and television outlets. The stranglehold of these media giants has made broad access to radio airwaves all but impossible for voices other than those supported by the dollar votes of huge corporate chains and other holders of fat advertinsing budgets. Some would argue that commercial radio broadcasting has become nothing more than a vehicle to deliver us to advertisers. And, given the hands that feed these guardians of the public interest, it is unthinkable that your local CBS affiliate, for instance, will ever really challenge established notions of mainstream thought, politics, nor threaten their shareholders' interests. These are the threats to free speech/open air waves that spawned the Free Radio.

The anarchist Mmbana Kantako of Black Liberation Radio is considered the Grandfather of Free Radio. Since the Federal Communications Commission has not offered any license for FM stations under a hundred watts of power since the early 1970's, the right to operate small, locally-run community stations has been denied. But Kantako, despite harassment by local and federal authorities, has for years broadcast interesting, eclectic, political and positive programming for his disenfranchised community in Springfield, Illinois.

Citizen access to the air waves is supposedly gurananteed by law, yet lobbying interests (such as the National Association of Broadcasters) work hard to keep access away from the general public and in the hands of media giants such as Viacom, CBS, Time-Warner, and Disney, who now own over 40% of the market.

What about regulation? Before the passing of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, it was illegal for an individual or company to own more than 11% of the broadcast market. This act, that affects public access so drastically, was passed behind closed doors.

What is the threat of such huge chunks of ownership by just a few players? By controlling the airwaves, these untouchable media giants will continue to make even deeper inroads into the public mind, spreading the gospell of consumerism over all else, shutting out other positive messages that might be offered up by those who value free speeach and diversity of thought. It is safe to say that media conglomerates' control of most of America's air waves reduces the chance of and makes it harder for unpopular, noncomercial, non-mainstream thought, speech, music, cultural discourse will find a spot on your local dial. The Federal Communications Commission is mandated to insure that broadcast media operate "in the public interest, convenience, and necessity." Given that control of the Commission is political by nature, it doesn't take long to catch on: defining public, interest, convenience, and necessity are all part of a much larger political reality that simply does not include those who can't come up with the dollar votes necessary to offer input.

With the recent passing of the laughably titled Radio Preservation Act, Congress has sent the message that there will be no low power FM regulation. This leaves the activists and artists who have been struggling to reclaim the airwaves with few other choices but to continue the civil disobedience thatbrought this issue to the brink of legalization. The tactics of the FCC, NAB and Congress suggest that they have no interest in facilitating the public's quest for empowermen,t truth, and diversity that micro-community stations offer.

Free Radio does give the people a forum where they can express and debate political ideas and share music or poetry. At Free Radio Austin 97.1 FM, there are over 100 programmers who do one or two-hour shows every week. This diverse mix is something you will not find on any other station in Austin. Free Radio Austin is run collectively by the programmers themselves, not a paid board of directors. The programmers are the station and are responsible to, and comprised of folks from, the community to which it broadcasts.

Ben Franklin once said, "Necessity knows no laws." As Free Radio stations all across the country continue to flourish, offering vehichels for communities to be involved, active participants in deciding what comes out over the air waves, the importantance of the simple issue of access become very clear. There has to options that allow direct grassroots community control of local media outlets. Free Radio is one way to get there.

Long Live Free Radio! We will not be silenced!