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News Articles: Knoxville

Joe Armstrong, the owner of WJBE, is shown outside the station. A Federal Communications Commission judge rejected an effort by the agency to strip the license of WJBE 99.7 FM/1040 AM — whose call letters pay tribute to the original WJBE's owner, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown — Knoxville's only Black-owned radio station.

FCC judge rules that Knoxville's only Black-owned radio station can keep its license

Since 2022, WJBE has battled with the FCC over its owner, Joe Armstrong, being able to own a radio station following his conviction in 2016 for making a false statement on his tax return.

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By:
  • Jonathan Franklin
Joe Armstrong, the owner of WJBE 99.7 FM/1040 AM — whose call letters pay tribute to the original WJBE's owner, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown — says the Federal Communications Commission is threatening to revoke his broadcast license over his prior conviction for a tax crime, one that occurred years before he took ownership of the station.

Black-owned radio station may lose license over FCC 'character qualifications' policy

Joe Armstrong, owner of WJBE 99.7 FM, says the FCC is threatening to revoke his broadcast license over his conviction for a tax crime — one that occurred years before he took ownership of the station.

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By:
  • Jonathan Franklin