Thanks for your comments, Cary.

First, a little background. The informal challenges were a result of FCC mandates that we feel are not being followed. The specific stations we targeted were stations that our research showed to be the furthest out of compliance. In essence, we were taking the first step, maybe in a long time, to let local radio know that someone was paying attention to the requirements they need to follow in order to receive their free license to broadcast. Also, this was not just about radio following the rules, it was also about the FCC enforcing them. When I visited FCC Commissioners Copps and Adelstein and the legal advisor to Chairman Martin in Washington DC back in April regarding our project, I pointed out how unjust it was for them to quickly shut down the pirate radio station here, while continuing to let the commercial stations get away with what are, in our opinion, numerous violations. They are supposed to be operating in the "Public Interest, Convenience and Necessity".

We did visit numerous radio stations. Talked to GM's, Program Directors, etc. They all claim to do their own programming, not controlled by Corporate, but they do not seem to be interested in programming local bands. It's all about holding on to listeners, obviously, and they don't think they can do it with local music. Our goal is to change that, not through legislative means, necessarily, but by agreements negotiated with the stations themselves, based on community input and support. These are called "Citizen Agreements".

So our challenge now is to gather that input and raise the community support to a level where the stations will have to pay attention to their listenership and change their approach. I believe that longterm, it is in their best interest. What with webcasting, ipods (hookups in cars next year), satellite, etc., local is the best way for them to hang on to market share with all the new competiton knocking at their door.

Regarding the Canadian model, it has been in place for a long time and I'm sure it is constantly being tweeked. I have no first hand knowledge regarding the questions you asked regarding the guidelines, except that I know it is what helped create international success for many Canadian artists that were being buried by American and English artists at the time it was instigated.

One last comment. You talked about keeping radio locally owned and programed. That would be the ideal, but it is not currently the case, and if the FCC has it's way, one company will be able to own the daily newspaper, 3 TV stations and 8 radio stations in a single market the size of Portland. We shut them down two years ago, but that plan is back on the table and right now is the time for public input to that plan. We have to stop it again, or access to local radio and TV will only get worse.

This project is ongoing, and we continue to build support. It is a mighty mountain to climb, but if it can be done, Portland might be the place. Also, I forgot to give kudos to our great non-commercial stations who do play local music, KBOO and KMHD. Also, August 18-20, in Woodburn, PCUN is having a barnraising for a Low Power FM Station. That is true expample of localism. I'll be there contributing to a panel discussion and to celebrate this milestone in local broadcasting.