FCC monitors Humboldt Free Radio Alliance

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.

After the summer complaints and before closing the case the FCC printed and filed MySpace content to the Alliance's case folder.

MySpace, a networking website, allows people to communicate with friends and like-minded people with personal web pages using messages, pictures, videos and music.

"The webpage shows a number of people who are dj's. Printed out the myspace web pages and placed them in the case folder," FCC documents said.

The FCC photographed and took GPS readings of a house used by the Alliance said a document entry dated Dec. 17. In FCC documents 13 photographs contain pictures of cars, license plates, a house and the Alliance's broadcast antenna.

Librarian Leslie Stanton of Saint Helen, California received one of two notices of unlicensed operation the FCC issued during the case.

FCC documents stated Stanton was contacted because she owned the house. FCC documents refer to Stanton as a homeowner and not an Alliance member.

It was news to Stanton, she said, speaking from Saint Helena. Stanton said she bought the house when her daughter went to Humboldt State and has rented it out through a property manager since.

"I said hey, I don't know these people," Stanton said.

The FCC documents stated "Took photos of subject antenna, vehicles and residence. GPS readings of house. Monitored for subject, subject not heard on air all day and evening."

Nearing closure on the case a FCC document entry in Jan. assesses the case from old and new Internet information.

The Alliance's MySpace page told FCC a telephone number, FCC documents said. "Indicates that the site owner was Mal, 26 years old, Arcata, CA."

Google, an internet search engine close the case.

"Googled 'Humboldt Free Radio Alliance' an (Internet publication) IndyMedia article related to our shutdown," stated the FCC documents.

"Since information indicates station off the air and may be trying to find a new location, will close the case based on the certified mail receipt. A new location will require a new case."