NAB Uses Meeting To Stand Firm Against Performance Royalty

No Compromise

The NAB used TODAY's meeting with parties representing the music industry and members of CONGRESS to reiterate its opposition to any performance royalty. It spent its time citing the considerable negative impact such a royalty would have on radio stations nationwide.

Representing radio's interests were NAB Joint Board Chairman and COMMONWEALTH BROADCASTING CEO STEVE NEWBERRY, NAB Radio Board Chairman and ICBC BROADCAST HOLDINGS Pres./CEO CHARLES WARFIELD, representatives from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK-OWNED BROADCASTERS and the SPANISH BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION. and Rep. MIKE CONAWAY, an original co-sponsor of a countering resolution known as The Local Radio Freedom Act.

"Out of deference to key members of Congress, NAB representatives met today with representatives of RIAA and the music industry to discuss pending performance tax legislation," NAB EVP DENNIS WHARTON said: "NAB representatives, along with representatives of minority-owned radio stations, reiterated our strong concerns over the negative impact that the bill would have on the ability of free and local radio stations to continue serving our listeners."

Meanwhile, UTAH Democrat JIM MATHESON became the 253rd member of House of Representatives to cosponsor the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local radio stations for music aired free to listeners.

« see more Net News