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 NEWS  News  media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  TTY  202/  418-  2555  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974).  FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  NEWS  MEDIA  CONTACTS:  November  6,  2003  Michelle  Russo  202-  418-  2358 
 David  Fiske  202-  418-  0513 
 FCC  Chairman  Michael  Powell  Announces  Opening  of  Application  Window  for  AM  Radio  Service 


 Powell  Highlights  Strengthening  of  Minority-  Owned  AM  Stations 
 Government  is  at  its  best  when  it  creates  opportunities  for  more  voices  in  the  marketplace  of  ideas.  Today  I  announce  an  important  step  in  the  FCC’s  continuing  effort  to  ensure  the 
 diversity  of  voices  available  to  the  American  people.  I  have  directed  the  FCC’s  Media  Bureau  to  open  an  application  filing  window  relating  to  AM  radio  service.  Due  to  current  transmitter 
 locations,  AM  station  signals  often  reach  only  part  of  their  target  audiences.  By  opening  this  filing  window,  we  will  enable  all  AM  radio  station  licensees,  many  of  whom  represent  minority 
 interests,  to  apply  for  approval  to  move  their  transmitters  to  locations  that  better  serve  their  local  communities.  Better  signal  coverage  will  increase  the  diversity  of  radio  options  available  to 
 listeners  and  will  enhance  the  viability  of  AM  stations. 
 We  must  continue  to  look  for  more  ways  to  enhance  diversity  in  the  media.  It  was  for  this  reason  that  I  created  the  Federal  Advisory  Committee  On  Diversity  in  the  Digital  Age.  I 
 look  forward  to  creative  suggestions  from  that  committee  and  strongly  encourage  them  to  develop  new,  legally  sustainable  approaches  that  will  improve  employment  and  ownership 
 opportunities  for  minorities  and  women  in  the  media  and  telecommunications  industries. 
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