4-23-14
The plight of Boston Pirate radio station Touch 106 has generated a lot of interest from broadcasters. One Boston GM tells Radio Ink the situation in and around Boston is a lot worse than anyone knows. There's even a website that keeps track of the Pirate stations, what happens to them, and what doesn't (CLICK HERE). Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick defended Touch 106, even though he knows it's illegal, after the feds shut the station down. The Boston GM Radio Ink spoke to says, "It's odd that Patrick has praised an illegal station operator who, for years, has been outwardly defiant towards towards a major government agency." He says people like Touch 106 owner Charles Clemons become community martyrs. "And, of course, it's become "monkey see, monkey do." Once the deed is done once, everyone wants to repeat it. So a handful of stations have turned into dozens,and their operators have become heroes."
The GM who spoke to Radio Ink says the FCC has done little to nothing to prevent these Pirate stations from operating. "There were several citations and fines; none of which, I believe, were ever paid. There have been several closures where public safety has been concerned. But never was the next step taken. No arrests, no jail time, no one having to post bail, no public embarrassment for the perpetrators. Just outright defiance. These stations operate without any regard to technical compliance, many are located in areas not zoned for business or broadcast operations, and many derive real revenue from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, time brokerage and/or mainstream advertising. Of course, they impact legitimate, legally operating stations."
(4/24/2014 3:23:58 PM)
I wish that people like Eric Roads, and Ed Ryan would stop treating "Touch" like an illegal operator, and get something through their thick heads. While it is illegal, "Touch" was performing a service to a community in Boston that the licensed stations refuse to serve. Yes, there is a legal obligation to follow the law. But, sometimes, there is a moral obligation to do what is right for others in the community. "Touch" met that moral obligation nicely.
(4/23/2014 10:06:20 AM)
Touch should take the legal route now. Cite the Goldfield Nevada precedent case. Ask for an STA and waiver to return to 106.1. Try it.
You might win.
(4/23/2014 9:52:36 AM)
I don't know. The FCC were very good at shutting down Free Radio Berkeley, Berkeley Liberation Radio, Radio X, San Francisco Liberation Radio, Pirate Cat Radio, and Freak Radio Santa Cruz.
(4/23/2014 9:16:05 AM)
Guy...Can you email me a rate card from one of the stations?
Ed
While I don't condone the pirate operations, I think the FCC _AND_ any broadcasters in those markets need to take a long hard look at WHY they can even get a foothold, and WHAT is making them popular. What need are they filling that the mainstream isn't? And why is nobody with a license filling that need? Takes something like this to show us our shortcomings. For that, I am glad they're out there being defiant.
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