Native-American and Alaskan tribes will get priority in establish...

over 55 million acres of tribal lands across the United States, only 41 radio stations are currently licensed to native tribes,” the commission said in a news release. “Companies controlled by tribes that want to establish new radio stations designed to serve communities located on tribal lands” also get priority under Section 307(b) of the Communications Act, it said. Commissioner Robert McDowell hopes “the new stations that result - whether AM or FM, commercial or noncommercial - help to promote tribal self-sufficiency and economic development,” he said. Tribes “have been woefully underrepresented among the radio ownership ranks” and members “simply do not have access to a critical source of information that can contribute significantly to the economic and community development of Native peoples,” Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said. Commissioner Michael Copps said the new rule “is tailored to advance the interests of the Tribes in a manner that satisfies Supreme Court precedent concerning both tribal sovereignty and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.” A rulemaking sought comment on whether to start tribal bidding credits and to extend the priority to “Non-Landed Tribes.” Comments are due 60 days after the further rulemaking notice appears in the Federal Register, replies 30 days later.