Prometheus Radio Project

The organization's mission was to advocate for new low-power FM licenses and assist community groups in establishing independent radio stations.

[3] In 2003 the Federal Communications Commission, under Chairman Michael Powell, sought to significantly relax media outlet ownership regulations.

On September 3, 2003, the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay which prevented the new rules from being enforced pending the outcome of the litigation.

They ruled that a "diversity index" used by the FCC to weigh cross-ownership (of radio, television and newspapers) employed several "irrational assumptions and inconsistencies."

In the spirit of the Amish barn-raising tradition, where a community comes together and erects an essential structure, Prometheus holds radio barnraisings.

For many years, Prometheus has strived to gain community members and nonprofit groups a fair share of the radio spectrum.

Doyle states that “we think the FCC will need to do a rulemaking to clarify the intent of the new law and update the rules going forward.” (Doyle) Because of this act, more groups will soon start to apply for licenses and they will need a lot of support in order to “navigate the process” says Vanessa Maria Graber, Community Radio Director at the Prometheus Radio Project.

[10] Prometheus' current Outreach Campaign involves the contacting and support of groups wishing to attain their own low-power FM community radio station.