Crib Sheet: Payola

[Commentary] Local radio stations everywhere have been swallowed up by a handful of giant corporations, playlists have shrunk, and local and independent acts have been drowned out, as Big Radio soaks listeners in a mind numbing mix of bland commercial acts. The rapid concentration of radio ownership has also ushered in a new age of “payola.” Major recording labels now shower radio station owners with money and prizes to plug and play their most bankable stars, securing spins of Dion, Ricky Martin, J. Lo, Jessica Simpson and even major label indie kids Franz Ferdinand at the expense of struggling local acts. There’s the catch: Payola is against the law. The New York Attorney General’s Office, Federal Communications Commission and members of Congress are investigating radio industry corruption. There’s no better time than now for music lovers to protect the radio airwaves from insatiable corporate greed and end payola once and for all. Here's the Top 10 things you need to know about Payola.
[SOURCE: Campus Progress, AUTHOR: Tim Karr]
http://www.campusprogress.org/tools/585/crib-sheet-payola