Tom Ness, editor and publisher of Jam Rag magazine, former congressional candidate and Green House activist, is planning an act of civil disobedience in Ferndale to underscore the desireability of low-powered FM radio that serves the local community. Despite recent success in forcing the FCC to allow low power (100 watt) community radio stations at all, it's still illegal to broadcast in or near major markets due to concerns about interference with established commercial frequencies. But Ness intends to both debunk that theory and demonstrate the need and desire for low-powered radio that serves the community on the public airwaves. "In the coming months, we intend to conduct a two-week demonstration of the value and necessity of local content on our public airwaves via an unlicensed “pirate radio” station, which will provide residents of Ferndale with uniquely local programming," Ness wrote in a recent e-mail.
On Sat March 27, 2004, the April edition of Jam Rag will go to press, containing the full 5,000 word version of the WNFC Declaration of Intent. You can read a shorter version of the declaration by clicking "Read More" below.
From Tom Ness: Abridged version of WNFC Declaration of IntentWNFC - RADIO FREE FERNDALE(For copies of our full 5,000-word Declaration, contact WNFC-FM, c/o the Green House, Box 20076, Ferndale MI 48220. Public meetings every Sun 3-5 pm at the Green House, 22757 Woodward Ste 210, Ferndale.) IN THE coming months, we intend to conduct a two-week demonstration of the value and necessity of local content on our public airwaves via an unlicensed “pirate radio” station, which will provide residents of Ferndale with uniquely local programming. HISTORY In the late ‘90s, the MICHIGAN MUSIC CAMPAIGN helped lead a national movement which successfully convinced the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a new form of radio station, “Low Power FM” (LPFM); small 100-watt stations designed to serve individual communities. In an era of awesome media consolidation, this was a lonely victory for media democracy in Washington. And it was only possible because of a massive civil disobedience campaign in the form of “pirate” radio stations across the country. However, their heroic work, and that of people like Congressman David Bonior and FCC Chairman William Kennard, was thwarted when the National Assoc. of Broadcasters (NAB) pressured Congress to keep LPFM stations out of our nation’s top 50 markets! But Congress also mandated an independent study (the Mitre Study) which recently concluded that complaints against LPFM are baseless, recommending that the original FCC plan be restored. Now a new bill must be signed into law before LPFM radio can be fully implemented. Meanwhile, space on the dial is rapidly disappearing, while the media empires fight over the last open frequencies. Community radio activists are suspicious. On Feb. 20, 2004, Sen. John McCain (who will introduce the legislation to restore LPFM) said; “Four years ago, broadcasters masqueraded their concern about competition from new low-power FM stations in grossly exaggerated claims of interference. Today, the FCC has stripped them of this disguise...” Currently, there are about 250 LPFM stations on the air. If the original plan is restored, that number may reach 1,000-2,000. However, Metro Detroit will still not get even ONE LP-100 station! And we have exhausted a long list of other broadcast options in Metro Detroit (see our full Declaration). RADIO’S ROLE The FCC is mandated to administer the public airwaves to serve the “public interest, necessity and convenience.” Ferndale residents demand local, community-oriented news and information (proven by the success of local publications). Why is it impossible to find Ferndale-specific information anywhere on our radio dial? OUR PLAN We will assemble a Low Power FM station with sufficient power to reach all of Ferndale. • We intend to operate for just two weeks, as a demonstration, which will be thoroughly publicized so that Ferndale citizens can listen – and participate! • We will not interfere with existing signals. • We will host debates and town meetings. • We will provide free advertising for all Ferndale businesses, and free community announcements for all Ferndale residents, organizations, etc. We will not go on the air until we have the support of the broadest range of Ferndale: • WNFC will present conservative and liberal voices in balance. • WNFC will speak to old and young. • WNFC will present the broadest possible range of religious, cultural and ethnic perspectives. • WNFC will provide a venue for debate over Ferndale issues: DIFT, the school board, IRV, light rail, the Woodward bridge, etc. We will not go on the air until we have the direct participation of our community’s most respected individuals, from school board to senator. We want the Mayor and all our friends at City Hall to have a turn on WNFC-FM! CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Civil disobedience is a historic, recognized method for citizens to exercise a check-and-balance over our government, fulfilling the dream of a truly participatory democracy. Civil disobedience has been a fundamental part of some of America’s proudest moments. We’re not criminals. We’re responsible public citizens interested in bettering our community. We respect the authority of the F.C.C, and we regret having to break the law. We will conduct this project in a manner in which any member of Congress will be proud to be associated. THE FUTURE This project is part of a national effort to convince the FCC to once again rewrite their rules. While we are conducting our demonstration in Ferndale, others are moving forward with the Mitre Study, LPAM, FCC localism hearings, new LPFM filing windows, etc. We intend to make it possible for a separate, impartial entity (not us), responsible to all of Ferndale, to one day launch a permanent Ferndale radio station without fear of fines or prison. Towards a better democracy... Tom Ness Michigan Music Campaign RADIO FREE FERNDALE c/o The Green House, Box 20076, Ferndale MI 48220 wnfc@jamrag.com We need a Ferndale radio station to: • Promote local commerce. • Promote local organizations and community projects. • Serve our community in emergencies, such as the recent blackout. • Make important announcements from the police, fire and other City departments about health, safety and other matters. • Bring local church service to the home-bound. • Bring the whole city closer to our festivals, etc. • Promote local garage sales, block parties, etc., spread the word about wed-dings, births, deaths, residents who need a helping hand. • Feature music by our world-class local musicians! • Provide information about our schools, and supplement the public access TV broadcast of school events, Council meetings etc. – many residents cannot afford cable! |