-
Longtime S.F. Pirate Shuts Broadcast Feed
November 2, 2009 at 4:28 AM (PT)
What do you think? Add your comment below. -
Longtime SAN FRANCISCO pirate FM PIRATE CAT RADIO has shut down its terrestrial broadcast in response to a notice of a proposed $10,000 fine by the FCC.
On the station's website, the station says that its operator "MONKEY" received the notice, dated AUGUST 31st, and added, "By bringing to bear the full weight of the Federal government against continued broadcast operations, the FCC’s order effectively ends PIRATE CAT RADIO's 13-year run as one of the BAY AREA's most consistent voices of protest against corporate-run media monopolies and monocultural programming ... It is hard to understand how fining the founder of PIRATE CAT RADIO, an entirely volunteer-run community station, and effectively taking them off the air after 13 years, is an appropriate action and in the public’s interest. There have never been any complaints over PCR's content....
"If the public’s interests are to be served then 'ordinary' people must be allowed to make their voice heard and to be allowed to express themselves creatively without regard for commercial success. The FCC’s policy instead seems to be protecting the airwaves for the big corporations to pump out their bland, homogenized wasteland offering dull limited playlists, banal chat and censored opinions. Until this happens people must continue to challenge the corporate domination of the airwaves."
The station continues as an Internet-only feed.