FCC monitors Humboldt Free Radio Alliance
Zack Cinek
Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Community
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) searched the internet to build a case against unlicensed radio broadcast by Humboldt Free Radio Alliance in Arcata.
On Dec. 16 2007 the FCC came to Arcata asking the Alliance to stop broadcasting.
Documents that were requested through the Freedom of Information Act about unlicensed or "pirate radio in Humboldt County" from 2007-2008 shows information the FCC has about the Alliance.
In summer 2007 complaints to the FCC began about an eight-month case to stop the Alliance. In documents the FCC blacked out identification of who complained.
The FCC received one complaint in June, documents stated. A second complaint comes about two months later:
"Are you going to do anything about this pirate station. They have nothing good to say about George W. Bush. They are constantly using profanity," stated the complaintant. "I just thought it would be good to stop this. The local police will not get involved."
Bay Area attorney Peter Franck commented on the documents.
The U.S. government has a lot more important things to worry about than a little station broadcasting in the woods, Franck said from his office.
"The FCC should not go after a station because they do not like what they are saying," Franck said.
But the FCC can try to stop unlicensed radio broadcasts.
When it asks pirates to stop broadcasting, the FCC sends notices of unlicensed operation. FCC's western region enforcement bureau, San Francisco Office, mailed notices about the Alliance in Jan. 2008.
San Francisco Office District Director Thomas N. Van Stavern could not talk about the documents, he said.
If unlicensed broadcasting does not stop, individuals face penalties, said notices sent by the FCC.
Pirates face "…severe penalties, including, but not limited to, substantial monetary forfeitures, in rem arrest action against the offending radio equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment," a notice of unlicensed operation said.
On Dec. 16 2007 the FCC came to Arcata asking the Alliance to stop broadcasting.
Documents that were requested through the Freedom of Information Act about unlicensed or "pirate radio in Humboldt County" from 2007-2008 shows information the FCC has about the Alliance.
In summer 2007 complaints to the FCC began about an eight-month case to stop the Alliance. In documents the FCC blacked out identification of who complained.
The FCC received one complaint in June, documents stated. A second complaint comes about two months later:
"Are you going to do anything about this pirate station. They have nothing good to say about George W. Bush. They are constantly using profanity," stated the complaintant. "I just thought it would be good to stop this. The local police will not get involved."
Bay Area attorney Peter Franck commented on the documents.
The U.S. government has a lot more important things to worry about than a little station broadcasting in the woods, Franck said from his office.
"The FCC should not go after a station because they do not like what they are saying," Franck said.
But the FCC can try to stop unlicensed radio broadcasts.
When it asks pirates to stop broadcasting, the FCC sends notices of unlicensed operation. FCC's western region enforcement bureau, San Francisco Office, mailed notices about the Alliance in Jan. 2008.
San Francisco Office District Director Thomas N. Van Stavern could not talk about the documents, he said.
If unlicensed broadcasting does not stop, individuals face penalties, said notices sent by the FCC.
Pirates face "…severe penalties, including, but not limited to, substantial monetary forfeitures, in rem arrest action against the offending radio equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment," a notice of unlicensed operation said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Laura
posted 5/08/08 @ 2:17 PM PST
This is an example of going after "licensed material" to stop comments the enforcer disagrees with. In other words, legal violation of free speech . What was the licensed material they are referring to?
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