WASHINGTON, D.C.—A group of Low-Power FM (LPFM) proponents have launched a series of objections aimed at delaying or derailing the FCC’s FM translator application process.
Womble Bond Dickinson telecom attorney John Garziglia writes about the latest developments in AM revitalization for Radio Ink. Three LPFM proponents have filed uniform Informal Objections against hundreds of pending FM translator applications that would carry AM signals. FCC policy is to hold off processing an application when there is an unresolved objection pending against it. So if this policy is maintained, the objections would, in effect, stop the routine processing of hundreds of FM translation applications.
But Garziglia said the objections shouldn’t be allowed to derail the application process because the LPFM arguments aren’t grounded in facts. Instead, he describes the complaints as “generalized policy-level angst that LPFMs and FM translators are not being treated equally.”
As such, Garziglia said the FCC should quickly dismiss these objections and allow business to proceed as usual.
“While the FCC’s informal objection rule is broad, it is not without limits. The FCC in case law makes it clear that informal objections must contain adequate and specific factual allegations sufficient to warrant the relief requested,” Garziglia writes.
Click here to read “Mass LPFM Translator Application Objections” by John Garziglia in Radio Ink.
John Garziglia represents radio and television broadcasters, offering personalized assistance in all areas of communications and telecommunications law including transactional and contract negotiations for broadcast station mergers and acquisitions, the securing of financing, governmental auctions of new frequencies, license renewals, new stations applications, facility changes, facility upgrades, licensing, and compliance with FCC rules, regulations and policies.
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