Four More In Congress Throw Support Behind Local Radio Freedom Act

Radio Resolution

The NAB has added four more members of Congress to the list of supporters of the Local Radio Freedom Act, giving the proposed bill to protect broadcasters against the imposition of a performance royalty a majority in the House.  The bill has 219 co-sponsors in the House and 14 in the Senate.

Added in this round are Reps. WILLIAM KEATING (D-MA), STEPHEN LYNCH (D-MA), JOHN CULBERTSON (R-TX), and DAVID MCKINLEY (R-WV).

NAB Pres./CEO GORDON SMITH said, "We applaud all the co-sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act for voicing their strong support for AMERICA's hometown radio stations.  A job-killing performance tax would be devastating to free and local radio, which has an overall economic impact of over $513 billion in Gross Domestic Product and generates more than one million jobs annually. This resolution reaffirms Congress's appreciation for the public service and economic benefits radio broadcasters provide to every community, while recognizing the mutually beneficial relationship between radio and performing artists."

musicFIRST Responds

The musicFIRST Coalition's Executive Director TED KALO responsed to NAB's claim to have a majority of the US House of Representatives supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act.

"Signing onto a commemorative resolution, most commonly used to honor sports teams and name post offices, is an empty gesture and hardly a reliable barometer of support. This is particularly true when the resolution itself hides its position in the fine print.  We are confident many of these 'cosponsors' also support performance rights.   

"We hope the NAB believes its own spin and rests on the laurels of this largely meaningless victory dance." 

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