Radio World reports that the Center for International Media Action, Common Frequency, and the Prometheus Radio Project have filed objections to FM translators applications from 998 full-power stations. The FM stations are attempting to extend their coverage area by setting up repeater stations that do not provide any original content, but just rebroadcast the signals of other stations. Paul Bame of the Prometheus Radio Project argues that with the Local Community Radio Act Congress mandated the FCC to to treat LPFM stations and translators equally but "since 2014, something switched and they have allowed a giant spectrum grab by repeaters without regard to future LPFM opportunities.... The congressional mandate is still in force, but seems to have been forgotten by the FCC." Todd Urick of Common Frequency agreed saying, “The rule of law still applies, and the FCC is bound by the orders that Congress gave it. Our objection to these 998 applications is a reminder that there was no sunset on compliance with this law in 2014 — it is still on the books and must be obeyed.” The three radio activist groups are alleging that the FCC is treating translator stations – which do not originate their own programming and are generally repeating commercial content – over low-power FM stations that broadcast community programming and often give citizens access to their own airwaves. “This, by definition, affords a higher status to translators,” the groups said, with translator applicants “free to propose endless minor changes and modification around the LPFM in perpetuity, but the LPFM is locked into its coordinate position from moving any closer to the translator.... The bias preemptively deems service preference to the translator party, with the LPFM party saddled with one-way mutual exclusivity,” the groups said.