Gordon Smith Delivers Keynote Address at NAB

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, April 12, 2011

NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith presented the annual NAB State of the Industry address during the 2011 NAB Show in Las Vegas. Speaking about the radio industry, he said that NAB "stopped the legislation that would impose a performance tax on local radio stations." He called it a "freight train headed for passage" that the trade group brought under control by seeking a good faith, workable agreement with the music industry.

"Our objective was to make certain that if something passed, it provided a bright future for radio," he said. "We offered to compensate record labels and performers if they would help us get broadcast radio on every future cell phone, which is important not only for entertainment, but more importantly, to provide the public with an effective emergency alert warning system."

Smith continued, "In the end, the record labels rejected our offer, but the performance tax bill also died. We remain open to discussions. We're still at the table, and we hope the other side comes back. By the way, the context of our approach marked a stark divergence from the past."

In closing the keynote, Smith quoted the words of former NAB President Eddie Fritts, "Broadcasting is a miracle technology, still giving great value to and doing great good for the American people. The world of the future must include broadcasting and broadband without degrading either."

In conclusion, Smith declared that the forces of modern life are fraying the bonds that tether our citizens to their communities. "Broadcasting keeps our citizens connected to our communities and gives those communities coherence. That is a public good that we provide. The enduring value of broadcasting is not something that policymakers should take lightly. And I assure you that NAB will continue to make that case in Washington."