SFLR vs. FCC: Round 1

April 30, 2004, 9 am in Federal Court: Come and witness Round One in the continuing battle against the corporate-dominated Federal Communications Commission by small, grassroots radio station, San Francisco Liberation Radio. This battle was first challenged by the FCC on July 2nd, 2003, when they came to the SFLR studios and asked to enter and "inspect the equipment." Matters escalated when the FCC, accompanied by US Marshals and SF Police Officers, raided the small studio of the micro-powered station (located in the basement of a private home) in October of 2003. This could have been expected since the FCC hadn't even bothered to reply to SFLR's latest license application, even though the station was not interfering with anyone and had been commended by the city government for its history of community service. The raid set into motion a plan by SFLR to challenge the FCC through the court system on their methods for licensing (more specifically, not licensing) micro-powered radio stations, as well as their in rem (civil) seizure of the entire studio.

SFLR is still producing radio shows which can be heard through its website on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

In other news, on Sunday, April 25, Sadie's Flying Elephant (491 Potrero) will host a Pirate Broadcasting Primer from 5-6:30 p.m. Come check it out and start your own LPFM station (with or without a license)!