Free Radio Gainesville Lives #17!
The FCC wants to shut us down! Time to defend Free Radio Gainesville!
94.7 FM
CONTENTS:
** FRG UNDER ATTACK FROM CORPORATE RADIO AND THE FCC
** THIS WEEK ON CUP O' JOE: GOD/RELIGION.
** UPDATED SCHEDULE -->WEEKENDS ONLY!
** MAKING CONTACT SCHEDULE
** HYDE 'N ZEKE'S DROP-OFF BOX
** HOW TO CONTACT US
** 2nd RUN OF T-SHIRTS STILL IN THE WORKS
94.7 FM
** FRG UNDER ATTACK FROM CORPORATE RADIO AND THE FCC
On Wednesday, June 3, 1998 between 7-8pm, two FCC agents from the Tampa field office visited the house where Free Radio Gainesville broadcasts from.
They showed us their FCC badges. They asked one house resident if they could talk to us about our radio station. They also asked to look at the equipment and the house resident said no way. We received a written and verbal warning from the agents to cease broadcasting immediately or face fine and/or imprisonment.
The agents weren't mean or nasty and did mention the pending legislation that would make certain kinds of microbroadcasting legal but continued to insist that we were broadcasting illegally. As reasons, they mentioned that the broadcast band was portioned off for a reason and that occasionally, airports can receive interference from unlicensed stations.
When asked how they found out about us, they didn't reveal whether or not they received a complaint, so we don't know if somebody complained about us or if the FCC agents heard about the station and decided to act on their own.
Members of Free Radio Gainesville knew this day would come and while our visit came much sooner than we thought, we are prepared to keep our station on the air for as long as possible.
We have decided to keep broadcasting during the weekends evenings and refocus our energy towards public outreach and education, building a solid legal strategy with which to fight the FCC with and fundraising.
It is somewhat predictable that the federal government, at the request of corporate radio stations, is taking steps all over the country to shut down legitimate community-run radio stations that provide an invaluable outlet for community social, political and cultural expression. The buyout and restructuring of 97-X is a perfect example of the direction in which we are headed in America as homogenized, cookie-cutter programming overtakes our airwaves. And to rub it in, corporate radio has the audacity to proclaim that they are serving the "public interest" by simply reading the weather and traffic reports.
We are asking our supporters to do take the following steps to help Free Radio Gainesville:
1. Send us a donation to help with our legal defense. Please send your contributions in the form of a money order to our address below.
2. Call the FCC to protest the harrassment we are receiving. 202-418-1000 will get you to Chairman Kennard's office.
Here is a sample script of what you could say:
"Hello, my name is ______ and I am calling to express my concern about the recent FCC actions taken against Free Radio Gainesville in Gainesville, FL. I am a supporter of micropower radio, as the chairman claims to be, and I am disturbed that the FCC is proceding in such an agressive manner against an organization that is agitating for more democratic ownership of media. I ask you to suspend your proceeding against Free Radio Gainesville until the following steps have been taken:
a). consideration of the petitions for rulemaking on low-power FM radio has concluded, b). the validity of the first amendment arguments of the Free Radio Berkeley case have been determined in the courts, c). and the FCC has done it's job to reverse the tide of concentration of media ownership.
3. Listen to the other micropowered radio station in Gainesville, 96.7 FM which broadcasts M-F during the evenings. 4. Read more about the micropowered radio movement at the Civic Media Center and library. A special shelf devoted exclusively to micropowered radio issues will be ready soon! Also, check out the movement at the Radio4All Site, http://www.radio4all.org/
Look for more news about the fight to save Free Radio Gainesville and as always . . .
Free the Airwaves!
94.7 FM
*** THIS WEEK ON CUP O' JOE ***
PRAISE THE LORD!
While we, here at Free Radio Gainesville often proclaim, "No Gods! No Masters!", we realize that not everyone agrees with us. So, if you have a differing view of the almighty, please participate and tune in to Cup o' Joe.
This week, Que would like to know about your god or higher power.
Listeners can get involved in "Cup o' Joe" every week as Que explores different realms of the human psyche. Que is looking for musical suggestions dealing with GOD or just simply replies to the request which can me written and emailed to us.
Listen to his show at his new time, Sunday from 7-8pm and get involved - we really want your participation. Send email to frg@afn.org.
94.7 FM
Here is a revised schedule to reflect our weekend broadcasting schedule which will continue until further notice:
Sundays: 5-6pm: "Local Music Show" - one hour showcasing Gainesville's great music scene with Hyper X 6-6:30pm: "Making Contact" - a syndicated half-hour progressive news show on varying topics every week. 6:30-7pm: "Night & Day with Hyper X" - Folk, acoustic, insurgent country and power pop. 7-8pm: "Cup o' Joe" with Que. This week's theme is "GOD" (see above). 8-9pm: "All Things Not Considered" - an hour of local, national and international news of people's struggles against social injustice brought to you by Ernesto. 9-10pm: "Sing It Sista!" - women's voices through poetry and music hosted by our fabulous new hostess, Sorg. 10-Midnight: "Midnight Expressions" - hip-hop with Blaq DJ and Billy the Kid.
Saturdays 5-6pm: "Class War Radio" - it's back and ready to smash the state! 6-7pm: "Community Collective" - local and regional music and culture. 7-8pm: "All Things Not Considered" - an hour of local, national and international news of people's struggles against social injustice brought to you by Ernesto. 8-9pm: "Mozambique" - Pan-African music including reggae, Latin music, rhythms and beats and much more with Alan.
Making Contact Schedule on Free Radio Gainesville (Heard Sundays at 6pm)
Sunday, June 14th - Independent Politics and Public Trust - As corporate interests continue to erode democracy in the United States, lavishing Democrats and Republicans alike with campaign contributions and plush private sector jobs, independent political parties are organizing to restructure government and the electoral system. Sunday, June 21st - The Force of Law - You'll hear from parents and others who are fighting back against a pattern of violence and misconduct at law enforcement agencies across the US. Sunday, June 28th - "Nuclear Hypocrisy: The U.S. and Atomic Tests" - In May India detonated five nuclear bombs underground. That country's neighbor, Pakistan, followed with several nuclear tests of its own. The United States, along with many other countries, reacted swiftly to denounce the blasts. But, even as U.S. officials scold India and Pakistan, the Unites States military continues to spend billions of dollars on nuclear weapons research and technology. On this program, you'll hear from anti-nuclear activists and their reaction to this latest round of the nuclear arms race.
All "Making Contact" tapes are donated to the Civic Media Center & Library after broadcast, so in case you miss an episode, head down to the CMC (1021 W. University Avenue) for a membership to check out the tape (hours are from Tuesday - Saturday; Noon - 7:30pm). Memberships cost $10-20 per year and gives the privilege of checking out any of their books, audio or videotapes. You also get their newsletter and the satisfaction of knowing that you're supporting a grassroots alternative media source. And, hell, we really like the CMC.
94.7 FM
REMINDER: Band Drop-Off Box at Hyde 'n Zeke's
We have new way to get music in to our hot little hands. If you are in a band or have music that you want to donate to the station, there is a "Free Radio Gainesville Drop-Off Box" located at Hyde & Zeke's Records in the UF Plaza across from the University of Florida campus (the same plaza as University Copy Center and the Birkenstock Store).
We thought that this would be a logical way for bands to give us copies of their music. If you are in a band and you sell music to Hyde & Zeke's, why not drop a copy of your merch in the "Drop-Off Box"? This way you don't have to go through the motions of stuffing/sealing an envelope, getting postage on it and bringing it down to the post office. Just go by Hyde & Zeke's Records! And also, if you buy local music, I prefer to get it there at Hyde & Zeke's and so should you - Hyde & Zeke's are staunch supporters of local music and they are a small, independent record store that needs your support! As they say on the radio: Hyde & Zeke's - real people in a plastic business.
94.7 FM
HOW TO CONTACT US:
Our email address is: frg@afn.org.
Our mailing address is:
Free Radio Gainesville PO Box 15094 Gainesville, FL 32604
94.7 FM
** 2nd RUN OF T-SHIRTS COMING SOON
I'm currently taking advance orders for the second run of shirts which will be the same design except they'll be raspberry ink on white t-shirts. I think the contrast on the front will stand out more and be clearer to see. We're still working on what colors they will be in (I'm leaning with white shirts and Navy blue ink).
Send me an email if you'd like to reserve a shirt and please indicate what size you'd like. We're going to have a limited number of small and medium sizes this time so get them early. The cost is $8-10 on a sliding scale.
94.7 FM
That's it for now. Please let me know if you would not like to receive this email newsletter or if you want to add someone else to it.
Howard Free Radio Gainesville