Philly-based community radio project supporting national campaign for low-power licenses

In this age of smart phones, the internet and social media, older forms of mass communication are being challenged to stay relevant. Jeff Rousset, the national organizer for the Prometheus Radio Project, based in Philadelphia, is working to build new outlets for an old medium that’s dear to our hearts: radio. 

Prometheus is a nonprofit organization that builds community radio as a tool for social justice and community expression.

“A lot of my time is spent working directly with groups who want to start stations,” said Rousset. “This week I organized and facilitated a conference call talking to people about what’s the process involved with starting a community radio station.”

On Oct. 15, nonprofits and community groups will be able to apply for thousands of new non-commercial, low-power FM radio licenses.

Rousset is currently in the thick of a national campaign to support such applications from community organizations working in areas of racial and economic justice.

“Why would anyone in the age of Interenet and smart phones be interested in radio or building a radion station?” said Rousset “I think that people might be surprised to learn that radio is alive and well today and that we are about to witness a new generation of FM radio stations going on the air.”