Radio Station at IU Gets Lawmakers Support

Press Release

Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar and Congressman Baron Hill today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin urging him to give due consideration to a recent settlement agreement that is designed allow WIUX-LP, a low power radio station at Indiana University in Bloomington, to continue broadcasting. In November 2006, a larger commercial station in Columbus that operates on the same frequency announced its intention to double its broadcast range, effectively overriding the broadcast power of WIUX-LP.

"Noncommercial stations like WIUX-LP play a vital role in ensuring a diverse array of programs and services remain available to enhance the knowledge and inspire the imagination of Hoosiers," the legislators said in a joint statement. "We are encouraged by the proposed settlement and we urge the FCC to move quickly to consider it with the hope that WIUX-LP can continue to serve its community of listeners."

In November, when the student radio station's status was uncertain, Bayh and Lugar submitted a letter to the chairman of the FCC supporting IU's Petition of Reconsideration to keep WIUX-LP on its current frequency, calling on the commissioners to remain mindful of the benefits WIUX-LP provides to the Indiana University community.

The recent agreement was reached following negotiations between the Columbus station, WYGB, and Indiana University Student Broadcasting, which filed the petition with the FCC. Under the terms of the agreement, WIUX-LP's low power license will be modified so that its frequency can be moved to another channel, and WYGB will pay the cost of making the change.

Low power FM radio stations are noncommercial and locally oriented, with a focus on providing news and information to communities not available on mainstream radio. Low power FM was established by the FCC in 2000 to create opportunities for new voices on the airwaves and to support programming that is responsive to local community needs and interests.

Letter

The Honorable Kevin J. Martin

Chairman

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20554

Dear Chairman Martin:

We are writing to urge the Commission's consideration of the proposed settlement agreement filed in MB Docket No. 06-77. We are told this settlement agreement will allow WIUX-LP to continue serving its community of listeners at Indiana University while also providing the other parties to the settlement the table of allotments they are seeking.

Under the agreement, WIUX-LP's current low power license would be modified to change its frequency of operation from channel 262 to channel 256. It is our understanding that if the Commission sees fit to grant this modification, Indiana University Student Broadcasting (IUSB) will withdraw its Petition for Reconsideration filed in MB Docket No. 06-77. The parties to the settlement agreement would also assist IUSB with its legitimate and prudent expenses incurred to implement an approved change in frequency.

We are pleased that the parties have been able to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement, and we hope the Commission will give serious consideration to IUSB's request for a modification of its current license to allow its continued operation along with the other elements of the proposed settlement agreement.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our request.

To ensure that the merits of this letter may be fully considered, a copy of this letter is being served on all of the parties to the proceeding listed below.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator

Evan Bayh
United States Senator

Baron P. Hill
Member of Congress