microbroadcasting

Microbroadcasting refers to unlicensed, low-power radio transmissions, often operating with as little as one watt of power. This practice emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as a response to the consolidation of media ownership in the United States, providing a voice for underserved communities. While early forms were considered "pirate radio," practitioners later adopted the term "microbroadcaster" to distinguish their community-focused efforts. Organizations like the Prometheus Radio Project have supported these efforts, advocating for and providing technical assistance to help microbroadcasters transition to licensed, low-power FM (LPFM) stations. This movement democratizes media access, allowing individuals and communities to produce and distribute their own programming.12