Senator Blackburn, Representative Nadler Introduce AM-FM Act

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, November 21, 2019 | 5:23pm CT

U.S. Congress

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduces the Ask Musicians for Music Act (AM-FM) to modify existing copyright law for radio stations and musicians. In a release, Blackburn said, "The AM-FM Act will reward singers, songwriters and musicians for their hard work when their music is played on the radio." She added, the act would "end unfair practices harming the music market, and empower copyright owners with new consent rights while providing exceptions for small and noncommercial stations."

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. "The United States is an outlier in the world for not requiring broadcast radio to pay artists when playing their music, while requiring satellite and internet radio to pay," said Chairman Nadler. "This is unfair to both artists and music providers."

In response, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said, "NAB opposes the AM-FM Act, which could decimate the economics of America's hometown radio stations that have launched the careers of countless musicians and exposed legacy artists to a new generation of listeners.

"We're pleased that a bipartisan group of 201 House members and 25 U.S. Senators recognize this potential harm and have cosponsored the Local Radio Freedom Act, a resolution opposing any new performance fee on local radio.

"NAB's door remains open to work with the record labels to find a holistic solution to this issue that reflects the enduring value to artists and labels of local radio to our hundred of millions of terrestrial and digital listeners. Unfortunately, the record labels have shown little interest in having those discussions."