College Radio Inquiry Begins

The Federal Communications Commission has begun an inquiry into the operations of closed-circuit college radio stations-a move which FCC critics charge is aimed at gaining closer control over the content of the stations' programming.

The FCC announced Friday that because of its concern that many college stations are expanding their programming to reach audiences beyond the campus it has begun the inquiry to update its information on these operations. To do this, it has mailed questionnaires dealing primarily with program content to over 500 college stations.

The FCC action does not apply to FM stations such as WHRB, which are already required to renew their licenses every three years. It affects only closed-circuit AM stations whose audience is limited to on-campus listeners, since they do not have to renew their operating permits once they receive them.

The action was accompanied by a sharply-worded dissent by Commissioner Nicholas Johnson, a 36-year-old liberal Democrat appointed by President Johnson in 1966.

Opposition to Establishment

Johnson said he was unable to deny speculation among students that "the real motivation behind the Commission's sudden interest in campus radio is related to a desire to control a medium which is run by a generation of students who have become politically vocal, often in opposition to Establishment wars and other values."

The lone dissenter from the Commission's statement, Johnson was severely criticized by Commissioner Thomas Houser, who said that Johnson "seeks not to disagree with his colleagues, but to dishonor them." In a telephone interview yesterday, Johnson declined to comment on the charge.

The FCC questionnaire asks stations to indicate the type of programs they carry, the number of hours devoted to each type of program listed, and whether they carry any political program. As originally written, the questionnaire had also asked for a representative sample of editorial topics. This question was removed, according to an FCC staff member who wished to remain anonymous, because of Johnson's dissent.

Getting a Handle

"The FCC is trying to get a handle on college radio stations," the staffmember added. "This is just the first step. Next they'll assert that we need to license them. Then their existence will depend on the FCC."

Under existing regulations, once a closed circuit college station receives its operating permit it does not have to renew it. However, this applies only to AM stations whose audience is limited to on-campus listeners. FM stations such as WHRB or WBUR at Boston University, whose range is more extensive, are required to renew their licenses every three years and are not affected by the questionnaire.