FROM THE PRESIDENT: Low-Power FM Stations

Oct 22, 2010 | From the President

How time flies indeed! Just a few weeks ago, we entered the last quarter of the year. And before we know it, we will again be welcoming a new year. Each day, we really thank the Lord for how He has sustained and continues to sustain our radio ministry.

Last year, we introduced you to the new thrust of Far East Broadcasting Company Philippines through the Philippines by Radio Project. Through this project, we aim to cover the entire Philippines by radio, and ensure that every Filipino has the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ through radio wherever he or she may be.

But given the massive resources needed to put up new stations, we have decided to shift our coverage strategies from putting up and operating stations to providing Christian programming to various outlets. What is more important is the availability of radio programs in the heart language, rather than the presence of an FEBC station in each area, especially in places we have earlier identified as deaf spots.

One of the possible strategies for developing outlets for FEBC programming

is operating a low-powered FM station in partnership with a local church or organization.

Low-powered FM or LPFM stations are community-based, non-profit radio stations that broadcast at the local level, to neighborhoods and small towns throughout the country.

LPFMs are usually run by non-profit organizations like colleges, churches, schools, labor unions and other community groups. These stations provide local coverage, information and perspectives that are not available anywhere else.

Uniquely positioned to meet local needs, LPFMs give voice to local groups and people who otherwise lack access to the media. They also offer a platform for discussing local issues, provide news, information and viewpoints ignored by traditional media, and strengthen neighborhood and community identity.

Low-powered FM stations also serve as training ground for students and other individuals looking for a start in the radio business. In some cases, they also issue vital safety information during local emergencies.

Compared to regular FM stations, LPFM stations do not produce their own programming. They rely on a parent station to provide what they air.

Relatively, LPFMs have small broadcast ranges. They operate at 100 watts or less and have a broadcast reach of approximately 3.5 miles or 5.6 kilometers only. But their impact on local communities is immense. Currently, there are about 100 low-powered FM stations in the country.

With the help of the low-powered FM technology, FEBC Philippines now turns its attention to the next priority deaf spot—the Western part of Southern Philippines. These include the islands of Mindoro, Palawan, and the northwestern part of Mindanao.

These deaf spots have populations ranging from 750,000 to 2.75 million and collectively make up 4.5 million of the country’s total population.

Presently, there are already several LPFM partnerships in the pipeline. Negotiations with local churches and other Christian organizations are already underway. Pray that these partnerships would prosper so that gospel broadcast would be heard in these areas the soonest possible time.

As writer Tom Wells says, “The God who is worthy to be known and served for who He is, is Himself the answer to this world’s longings…And those who know Him best are best equipped to serve Him. He is their message. If we have discovered the glory of God in the face of Christ, we must not hold back. The God of glory must be made known.”

download MP3 format
english
tagalog
archives