Station Regroups After FCC Action

Jim Simon, program director of talk-radio station XEKAM-AM (950), is optimistic that his station, which was shut down by the government earlier this week, will be back on the air soon--possibly by today. But the program lineup probably will be different.

The Federal Communications Commission ordered XEKAM off the air for failing to comply with federal regulations governing stations that originate their programming in the United States but actually broadcast it from a transmitter outside the country.

The programs heard on XEKAM had been produced in a Hollywood studio and were broadcast into Southern California from a transmitter near Rosarito Beach in Mexico. The station had failed to get an FCC permit to operate in that fashion.

XEKAM shut down after receiving the FCC’s order to do so Monday, Simon said, but on advice from its legal counsel intends to go back on the air by Monday with shows being produced out of studios in Rosarito Beach, rather than from its Hollywood production facility. Some of the programming is likely to be different because not all the hosts may be willing to travel to Mexico to work, he said.

Simon said that station officials did apply for an FCC permit last December--”admittedly late.” He said he did not know why it wasn’t requested earlier, but expressed confidence that the permit would be obtained, allowing XEKAM to resume normal operations.

FCC spokesman Rod Porter confirmed that XEKAM had applied but said that there was no certainty the permit would be granted.

The FCC said in a letter to XEKAM owner Carlos E.J. Alvarado that it believed the station had been operating without the permit since last June. The station faces fines of $10,000 for each day that it is found to have broadcast illegally, up to a maximum of $75,000.

XEKAM’s schedule featured live news-talk programs, a psychological call-in show, political commentary and debates, interview features, a sports show and the area’s first talk show devoted to gay issues.