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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             News Media contact:
April 11, 2000                          David Fiske at (202) 418-0513


  FCC CHAIRMAN URGES BROADCASTERS TO SHIFT FOCUS FROM FIGHTING
 AGAINST LOW POWER RADIO TO FIGHTING FOR DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES
                                
William E. Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC),
today urged the nation's broadcasters to shift their resources from fighting the introduction of
Low Power FM Radio to exploring the enormous opportunities prompted by the digital
revolution. 

He made these remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of
Broadcasters in Las Vegas and in phone conversations with Members of Congress and other
advocates on both sides of the Low Power FM issue. 

"Why," he asked, "amidst all this opportunity for broadcasters, have you chosen to
muster your considerable resources to deny churches and schools and community-based
organizations just a little piece of the broadcast pie?"

"What this is about is fear of new entrants in the market," he said. "It is no different from
the battles to kill low power TV, cable TV, satellite radio and satellite television."

Chairman Kennard said the interference issue was not a problem, noting that
"interference is and always has been a solvable problem."  He said the broadcasters' bill in
Congress is mere "protectionist legislation," adding, "There's a long and unfortunately
disappointing history of efforts to kill competition in this sector." 

He committed categorically to protecting every incumbent FM service from harmful
interference, from the radio reading services to the commercial stations and everything in
between. 

Chairman Kennard warned the broadcasters that, while they were consumed by the Low
Power FM fight, they were missing opportunities brought about by emerging digital
technologies.   He cited examples of companies and industries that were seizing the digital
opportunity and urged broadcasters to join them enthusiastically. 

                            - FCC -