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Big Surprise? For First Time, FCC Allows 100% Foreign Ownership of Radio Stations, Four of Five in Alaska

The FCC’s Media Bureau has granted a petition by a pair of Australian citizens to control 100% of several broadcast stations — four radio stations in Alaska and Texas . . .

But this is the first time it has allowed 100% foreign ownership of the parent of broadcast licensees, at least outside of one-off waivers — the FCC allowed NewsCorp., also Australian, to buy its (Fox) TV stations in the 1990s.

The FCC’s Media Bureau issued the declaratory ruling Feb. 23 allowing the ownership change. It said the petition had been unopposed and that it had consulted with the “relevant agencies” on law enforcement, national security, foreign policy and trade issues — and none of those agencies raised any objections or said any conditions should be put on the deal . . .

The stations at issue are KGTW(FM) Ketchikan and KINY(AM) Juneau, both Alaska, and KCMC(AM) Texarkana and KTOY(FM) Texarkana, both Texas.

The stations are owned by Frontier, an Alaska-based company controlled by Richard and Sharon Burns, who are Australian citizens. They each own 10% of the ownership interests in the stations and want to buy the other 80%. (For more from the author of “Big Surprise? For First Time, FCC Allow 100% Foreign Ownership of Radio Stations, Four of Five in Alaska” please click HERE)

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Joe Miller Campaign Releases First Campaign Ad ‘Testimonials’

Fairbanks, Alaska. September 27, 2016 — The campaign of Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller released its first radio ad on Monday, which is called “Testimonials.”

The ad features four members of the Alaska Republican Party Central Committee, who left their positions (and in one case was removed) to publicly back Miller’s candidacy for U.S. Senate over incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Others featured include Amy Demboski, the 2015 GOP nominee for Anchorage mayor, who was threatened with removal as district secretary by the vice chairman of the state Republican Party for backing Miller, as well as Russ Millette, who was elected the Alaska Republican Party chairman in 2012.

In the ad, former Anchorage district 25 chairman Dave Bronson states he “was removed for supporting the Constitutional Conservative for United States Senate . . . Joe Miller.”

Others voicing support for Miller are district chairs Shannon Connelly (Palmer), Ron Johnson (Chugiak), and state Central Committee member Mike Widney (Big Lake).


The ad began airing on stations in multiple markets in Alaska on Monday.

“I am very honored that members of the central committee would take the extraordinary step of leaving their positions to back my candidacy,” said Miller. “We have seen a groundswell of support during these last few weeks, which I believe will continue to grow and carry us to victory in November.”

In announcing his candidacy earlier this month, Miller pointed to the near historic low voter turnout in the Republican primary as evidence that Alaskan voters want another choice.

Despite entering the race in September, Miller has already garnered the endorsement of Alaska Right to Life and the support of the Alaska Republican Assembly.

Miller also has the support of the co-chair of Donald Trump’s campaign in Alaska and the former co-chair of Sen. Ted Cruz’s Republican presidential primary campaign.

The Gun Owners of America and conservative talk show host Mark Levin endorsed Miller during the past week.

Joe Miller is a limited government Constitutionalist who believes government exists to protect our liberties, not to take them away. He supports free people, free markets, federalism, the Constitutional right to life, the 2nd Amendment, religious liberty, American sovereignty, and a strong national defense