FCC judge rules that Knoxville’s only Black-owned radio station can keep its license – Gist It

FCC judge rules that Knoxville’s only Black-owned radio station can keep its license

Knoxville’s only Black-owned radio station, WJBE 99.7 FM/1040 AM, has won its battle to keep its license to operate despite attempts by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke it due to the owner’s prior felony conviction for tax fraud.

Case details: The FCC sought to apply its 33-year-old character qualifications policy for radio license holders to WJBE’s owner, Joe Armstrong, citing his 2016 conviction for making a false statement on his tax return.
* Armstrong acquired the station in 2012, years before his tax issues took place.
* The FCC claimed Armstrong’s past conviction implied a lack of integrity necessary for owning a radio station.

Court ruling: The FCC’s administrative law judge, Jane Hinckley Halprin, ruled in favor of Armstrong, viewing his old felony conviction as an isolated incident.
* Halprin noted “enough time has elapsed to show that Mr. Armstrong has remediated his wrong.”

Station’s significance: WJBE is a vital part of the Knoxville community, particularly serving as a news source for the Black community.
* The station provides a range of services, including local news and weather, church services, airplay for emerging artists, and free advertising for struggling small businesses.

Owner’s perspective: Armstrong, a former long-serving state representative in the Tennessee General Assembly, argues that the station’s existence shows he is not permanently marked by his past mistake.
* Armstrong voiced appreciation for the judge recognizing the wider needs of the community.

What’s next: The FCC has the option of appealing the verdict, with future actions remaining uncertain.

View original article on NPR

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September 18, 2023

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