VPR dupes the FCC

[ More on why VPR is a lousy station. -d ]

> Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 07:44:50 -0700 (PDT)
> From: HighMusic <highmusic-/[email protected]>
> Subject: Wonder Where Your VPR Listener Contributions Are Going?
> To: [email protected]
> Cc: highmusic-/[email protected]
>
> Hey!
>
> I'm working with a local community radio station
> start-up here in Northampton, MA, and I've been doing
> some research on VPR.
>
> I noted the Vermont Public Radio GM's message
> explaining why he did not find it "appropriate" for
> VPR to carry "Democracy Now":
>
> http://www.vpr.net/about_vpr/democracynow.shtml
>
> Well, here's a cute little piece of stuff for you to
> chew on, regarding VPR's "public ethics".
>
> As I'm sure you're aware, VPR has just opened a brand
> new classical music service on 88.1, transmitting from
> Mt. Ascutney.
>
> However, a little rooting around in the FCC documents
> reveals the following "rather interesting" facts:
>
> 1. There were several applicants for the 88.1
> frequency slot, including both New Hampshire Public
> Radio and Vermont Public Radio.
>
> 2. The FCC found reason to disqualify all other
> applicants for 88.1 except NHPR and VPR.
>
> 3. NHPR and VPR had decided to pool their two
> applications into a joint operating agreement
> application, assuring that the new entity would be the
> only "standing applicant" for the frequency, and would
> receive the license.
>
> 4. HOWEVER, in making what seems to have been a "faux"
> (i.e., dishonest) application for a joint operating
> agreement, VPR was confidentially discussing with NPR
> its plans to file a PERMIT MODIFICATION application,
> 45 days after the FCC granted the license to the joint
> entity. This new application would request that sole
> control of the license be transferred to Vermont
> Public Radio.
>
> In exchange for participating in this wheeler-dealer,
> VPR promises, in writing, to PAY OFF New Hampshire
> Public Radio to the tune of $250,000, apparently as a
> "perk" for their having participated in the licensing
> caper! The facts are buried in an "attachment" to one
> of their official FCC filings. Read it for yourself:
>
>
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibi
> t_id=174305
>
> Illegal? I'm not a lawyer. The operating license
> itself is certainly valid. But how would Vermont
> Public Radio listeners feel, if they were duly
> informed that their hard-earned FUND-RAISING DOLLARS
> were being used to "grease the palm" of another
> NPR-affiliated network, in an apparent "faux"
> licensing deal?
>
> Just something to think about. E-mail me back if you'd
> like to discuss it further.
>
> Dana Prescott

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