| For Immediate Release November 19, 2009 |
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MUSIC FEES GET A CHILLY RECEPTION
Washington D.C.– As the temperature rises on Capitol Hill over a radical “Performance Rights” bill that would impose new copyright fees on the radio industry, a meeting with music industry representatives on Tuesday met with a chilly response from National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).
The meeting, arranged by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), included NRB President and C.E.O Frank Wright, and leadership from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The conference was dubbed a “dialogue” on the issue of the new copyright proposal that is touted as a fee for music performers, though it will admittedly enrich the music labels. During the meeting Rep. Issa asked whether broadcasters will back off their opposition to H.R. 848, the Performance Rights Act. In a letter delivered to Rep. Issa today, NRB responded by telling him that “NRB can not support H.R. 848 or any similar bill.” Dr. Wright explained in the letter that the idea of “performance rights” (which is labeled a “tax” on music by broadcasters), is based on the false premise that music artists and music companies do not already receive huge promotional benefits from music air play over the radio. But, Dr. Wright wrote, “this notion is disproven by both reason and experience.” The letter also takes issue with the fact that H.R. 848 ignores the other existing copyright fees imposed on stations and fails to take into account the total economic impact on already burdened radio stations. Dr. Wright also noted that “Christian radio (like all over-the-air broadcasters) does not charge listeners and therefore cannot pass rising costs onto the ‘end users’ of the music they play.”
Click here to view a copy of letter.
About NRB
The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is a non-partisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. Our mission is to keep the doors of electronic media open for the spread of the Gospel. In addition to promoting standards of excellence, integrity, and accountability, NRB provides networking, educational, ministry, and fellowship opportunities for its members. Learn more at www.nrb.org.
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