Board adopts resolution opposing sale of KUSF's 90.3 FM license

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution opposing the sale of KUSF 90.3 FM'the University of San Francisco's noncommercial radio station'to an outside commercial broadcaster.

Supporters described KUSF as a long-running community resource that provides multilingual and culturally specific programming and said the university's announced sale disenfranchised audiences and community producers. Dozens of members of the station's listening community, volunteer DJs and musicians addressed the board during public comment, urging supervisors to support local, noncommercial radio.

Supervisor McCraney introduced the measure and supervisors including Supervisor Mar joined as cosponsors. Board members who spoke in favor described KUSF's role serving neighborhood audiences and said the board should register its opposition to the proposed sale. Supervisor Farrell said he opposed the board adopting resolutions about purely private sales between two parties and voiced concern about setting a precedent for the board to weigh in on private transactions.

After public comment and discussion the board approved the resolution by roll call: 8 ayes and 3 noes. The clerk recorded 8 votes in favor and 3 opposed; the resolution is nonbinding and expresses the board's opposition to the proposed transaction. Advocates said the board's action may help inform the Federal Communications Commission review and public negotiations, and speakers urged continued outreach to the University of San Francisco and the FCC to preserve community radio in San Francisco.

The public record included statements from longtime KUSF volunteers and allies. The University of San Francisco Faculty Association filed a separate resolution opposing the sale, speakers said. The board did not obtain a commitment from USF during the meeting; the resolution is a statement of position rather than a regulatory action.