On the recordApril 13, 2000
I still, however, must rise in opposition to H.R. 3439. The title itself is deceptive. The act seeks to preserve the status quo and to prevent others from having access to the airwaves. It is a fact that the four top radio groups own the majority of the Nation's radio stations and according to the Congressional Research Service between 1995 and 1998, the number of radio station owners decreased 18.8 percent. With the number of radio station owners decreasing and the consolidation of radio ownership growing, LPFM allows underrepresented groups and communities an opportunity to enter into the radio broadcast area. I support this new initiative because it will open doors of opportunity for our Nation. It adds to radio diversity and encourages alternatives to current commercial formats that dominate the radio. I have heard others say that we need to protect radio listeners, but we must also protect those who do not have stations to listen to.
Source
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