Tauzin, Kennard spar about low-power radio stations
Ministations' b'cast content could have consequences
"Imagine skinhead stations or David Duke radio," Tauzin said to National Assn. of Broadcasters radio members who were in Washington for a two-day miniconfab. Tauzin made the statement on the same day that he sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission formally requesting the agency to halt its current efforts to launch more than a thousand mini-radio stations ranging in power from 10 watts in urban areas to 1,000 watts in rural ones.
Broadcasters are concerned about the potential for the new stations to increase interference for their radio signals and lower the values of their properties by flooding the market with additional outlets.
FCC Chairman William Kennard was quick to respond to Tauzin's comments, releasing a statement late Thursday: "The radio airwaves are big enough for all of us. There is enough room for the voices of churches, schools and neighborhood groups as well as established radio companies."
In contrast to Tauzin, the FCC topper sees the ministations as a stepping-stone for minorities and small businesses facing formidable barriers to entering the broadcasting business.
