FCC Rejects Challenge To WQHT (Hot 97)/New York License Renewal

Renewed

The FCC has granted the license renewal of EMMIS Top 40/Rhythmic WQHT (HOT 97)/NEW YORK over the Petition to Deny of MICHAEL "MANNY FACES" CONFORTI of SYOSSET, NY, operator of Hip Hop website BIRTHPLACE MAGAZINE and host of Internet radio show "THE NY HIP HOP REPORT."

CONFORTI filed an opposition to the renewal on the basis that HOT 97 failed to adequately serve NEW YORK's Hip Hop community and did not do enough to support the Hip Hop scene ("the station exhibits... (an) egregious lack of regard for Hip Hop -- the culture -- despite its cavalier usage and over-reliance on the term").  EMMIS noted that such matters are outside FCC regulation and come under the First Amendment, that CONFORTI's claim assumes someone else would program the station differently, and that he lacks standing as a "party in interest."  The Commission agreed with EMMIS and granted the renewal.

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