Lawmakers' PSAs for broadcasters could have other benefits

The National Association of Broadcasters’ practice of letting members of Congress record public service announcements for free could be serving another purpose that benefits the industry, based on an analysis of lawmaker participation.

The free airtime on community stations has drawn watchdogs’ attention as broadcasters are trying to showcase the importance of local radio and fight against possible new royalty fees for stations. There’s a big overlap between members who have taken advantage of the free airtime and those who have signed on as co-sponsors of an NAB-backed resolution, the Local Radio Freedom Act, according to an analysis by POLITICO. The measure says Congress shouldn’t impose new performance royalties on radio stations. More than 40 percent of 214 House offices that supported the act also recorded PSAs. On the other side of Capitol Hill, nine of the 14 Senate offices that co-sponsored the local radio legislation used the free airtime. Federal law currently bans members of Congress from taking gifts, especially from lobbyists or lobbying organizations, with some exceptions. The broadcasters group, however, rejected any connection between lawmakers’ participation in the public service announcement program and their support of the radio bill.