The threat of that tsunami in Hawaii is calling attention to an effort by broadcasters in Honolulu to regain access to police scanner information.
Media outlets have been unable to access police and fire scanner radio communications since February 2022, when a new digital system began encrypting the frequencies used by the city’s emergency agencies.
Hawaiian media outlets are working to change that, and a bill under consideration in the Honolulu City Council might get the job done.
“The media and public’s timely access to emergency-related information is essential to keeping the community safe from dangerous situations such as active shooters, armed and dangerous individuals, and violent crimes,” the proposed bill says.
The proposed bill (bill 46) adds: “the release of timely and accurate information to broadcasters and other media outlets helps in the prevention of misinformation spreading within the community, which it says can cause panic and public distrust.”
To access the information, the proposal says a station would need to hold a valid license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or have a verifiable track record of professional journalism.
Journalists don’t simply broadcast what they hear; they use scanner traffic to mobilise teams, verify facts, and prepare accurate and timely news bulletins and rapid ‘on the spot’ live emergency broadcasts.
– With the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) & Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA).
