I wish them luck, but I would not hold out much hope.
Supporters of Rice University’s student-run radio station have formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to deny the station’s sale to the University of Houston, contending it would weaken the educational mission intended by the FCC and harm listeners.
Joey Yang, a Rice student and KTRU station manager, said the goal is to stop the $9.5 million sale, which was approved last summer.
[…]
“There’s nothing like KTRU on the air right now,” Yang said. “(National Public Radio) and classical music are both well-served by KUHF’s current format. We think the loss of the independent, eclectic format is a net loss to the community.”
The petition was filed Friday, the final day public comments on the proposal were accepted by the FCC.
No date has been set for a decision, but FCC spokeswoman Janice Wise said the commission tries to act “in a timely manner.”
The full Petition to Deny is at Save KTRU. Here’s their press release, with a brief summary of what the petition contains:
- The proposed programming for the new station would significantly decrease community-oriented programming, in contravention of the FCC’s emphasis on broadcast localism
- The proposed assignment would be contrary to the educational purpose of the non-commercial FM license
- Internet transmission of KTRU would be a poor substitute for FM broadcast
- Houston-area non-commercial, educational FM licenses would be overly concentrated in the hands of UHS and non-independent operators
- Questions exist as to the qualifications of UHS holding an additional NCE FM license
- Rice and UH’s secrecy, deception excluded student and community participation
- Characterization of FM radio license as a “declining asset” and sale at a below market price is harmful to the public interest
These are all valid points, I just don’t think they’re going get anywhere with them. I could be wrong. Regarding that penultimate bullet point, I refer you to the Houston Press “Turkey of the Year” award for David Leebron. I’m hard pressed to think of how they could have done this any worse.
Good Luck! Too many non-commercial are being gobbled up by the big boys. I hope you win but as the sign our station the sign on the wall says F.C.C.= For Clear Channel.
Psychedelic Rick
WESU-FM
Middletown,CT
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