Three New Senators Oppose Local Airplay Fees

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

Three additional Senators are now opposing a record industry-backed effort to levy royalties on radio for local airplay. Currently, a bipartisan group of 19 U.S. Senators and 238 House lawmakers have signed on as co-sponsors to the Local Radio Freedom Act, a resolution opposing the imposition of any new fees on radio for music airplay.

Senators Tim Johnson (SD), Joseph Lieberman (CT) and Olympia Snowe (ME) have signed on as co-sponsors to S. Con. Res. 14. Also adding support to the Local Radio Freedom Act is Rep. Bill Cassidy (LA-6).

"In addition to serving as the recording industry's number one promotional vehicle, local radio stations provide communities across America with timely news and life-saving emergency information," said NAB Executive VP Dennis Wharton. "Lawmakers are becoming increasingly skeptical over an RIAA proposal that would jeopardize the viability of free, local radio in order to line the coffers of foreign-owned record labels."

The Local Radio Freedom Act, unveiled at a February Capitol Hill event hosted by the Free Radio Alliance, was introduced by Reps. Gene Green (TX-29) and Mike Conaway (TX-11). In March, an identical resolution was introduced in the Senate by Blanche Lincoln (AR) and John Barrasso (WY).