The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Jan. 24 renewed for full seven-year terms the broadcast licenses of Synod-owned radio stations KFUO-AM and KFUO-FM.
Dennis Stortz, director of broadcast operations at KFUO, said that this is especially good news for those who remember the FCC challenges in the 1990s.
For nearly nine years, the Synod fought to keep the stations’ licenses after the NAACP in 1990 petitioned the FCC not to renew them, accusing the stations of not seeking minorities when hiring. At the heart of the matter was the stations’ practice of hiring employees who were knowledgeable about the Synod’s theology and practice.
The case did not end until 1998, when the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., ruled twice in favor of the Synod.
Stortz said there were “no comments or challenges from anyone” when the licenses were up for renewal this time around.
“This is truly a great day for the KFUO ministries,” Stortz said.
Posted Jan. 27, 2005
