In this letter to the editor, the author responds to the story “Dear Curtis: Gary Shapiro Asks NAB to Drop AM Bill.” Radio World welcomes letters to the editor on this or any story. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.
Good afternoon, Paul. Hope you’re well.
Good grief. Was that Gary Shapiro committing extortion, on behalf of the CTA?
Pound dirt, Gary. This will be a loss — loss for him and the CTA. First, the FCC isn’t going to let AM disappear. Owners of AM stations pay quite a bit in annual fees to the commission that helps it remain self-funded. Second, many in both Houses of Congress and the current president have expressed the importance of keeping AM. Third, the same people that want to keep AM in the dash (the group in item #2) are not keen on saddling radio with another set of royalties.
While we’re talking about AM … c’mon, FCC. Lets get real AM improvement approved. Drop the Ratchet Rule. Let us increase power, where possible, so we can overcome some of this interference and, by all means, start working on reducing all of the noise created by so many devices.
Thanks. Take care!
— Jonathon R. Yinger, president/CEO, The Christian Broadcasting System & Broadcast Properties
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