Feingold Intros Payola Bill

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
On Friday, Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced legislation that would increase the penalties for payola, the practice of paying to influence the playing of certain songs, including putting a radio station's license at risk for violating FCC rules prohibiting the practice. The bill would require "arm's-length transactions between radio stations and record companies that might want to influence playlists, and would require the station's to keep records of those transactions handy for FCC inspection. The bill broadens the definition of payola beyond the "direct bribing of DJs and stations" to relationships with independent music promoters. "No matter what tortured path money or other consideration travels," Sen Feingold said, "if it is for airplay and not disclosed, it is payola." And in a direct shot at Clear Channel, the bill would put restrictions on the cross-ownership of radio stations and concert venues. Clear Channel is a dominant player in both. The bill would require stations to disclose all payments or considerations and their sources, along with a monthly playlist, including label and artist. "While corporations may not fear the current hard-to-prove $10,000 fines," he said, "they do understand public relations. The potential for consumers and the media to use these records to connect the dots should have a chilling effect on the practice and may mean that the FCC Enforcement Bureau will rarely even need to be involved."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6285543?display=Breaking+News &referral=SUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

* Sen Russ Feingold's statement
http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/05/11/20051118.html

* AFTRA Applauds Introduction of New Payola Bill
http://www.aftra.org/press_copy/pr_2005_11_18_payola.html