Radio plays a large part in struggles for freedom around the world. Radio Free Europe, which helped numerous countries escape dictatorial rule, is now supported by those same nations. In this country the issue is not achieving free speech, but how we decide to nurture it. Supporters for increased public access to radio are protesting exorbitant federal licensing fees and calling for Federal Communication Commission reform or state regulation. The FCC is in danger of weakening the First Amendment's statement of the right to free speech by making access to radio dependent on the wealth of the citizen.
Free radio does exist in the United States.
But it is still illegal to operate a radio station without a license. Many small stations that can't afford a license still want to participate in radio, so they stay on the air illegally. The number of pirate radio stations is increasing, and licensed broadcasters are encouraging the FCC to respond by closing down illegal signals. The licensed stations say pirate stations are stealing from them and stealing from the government. The pirate broadcasters say the rules are only there to protect the corporations.