STATION EDITORIAL
Posted May 11, 2022
This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.
Well, the greedy foreign record labels and singing artists are at it again, going to Congress with the tin cup in their hand wanting to TAX radio stations for playing THEIR music. This so-called Performance Tax on free, local radio stations would jeopardize local jobs, prevent new artists from breaking into the recording business and harm the hundreds of millions of Americans who rely on local radio.
We are asking you to urge legislators to support the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes a performance tax and is supported by more than 230 bipartisan members of the House and Senate. Additionally, broadcasters ask legislators to oppose any performance tax proposal, such as the American Music Fairness Act. Here’s why: For nearly a century, record labels and performers have thrived from airplay – which is essentially free advertising – from local radio stations.
But as the big record labels struggle to keep profit margins high, they are urging Congress to impose a tax on these local radio stations that are, ironically, their greatest promotional tool. Each Congress, the record labels push policymakers to impose a new fee on local radio stations simply for airing music on the radio.
This would financially cripple local radio stations, harming the millions of listeners who rely on local radio for news, emergency information, weather updates and entertainment every day. Local radio continues to be the top source for listeners seeking new music, far surpassing other sources. Free radio airplay provides the recording industry increased popularity, visibility and sales for both established and new artists.
Recognizing the value of free radio airplay, Congress has repeatedly rejected the record labels’ attempts to impose a harmful performance tax on local radio stations. Efforts to attach a performance tax to consensus legislation that benefits all stakeholders, such as the Music Modernization Act, have failed once exposed as the poison pill it is.
The bottom line: Please stand up for LOCAL radio by supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes a performance tax. Go to taylorvilledailynews.com or dewittdailynews.com and click on the "NO PERFORMANCE TAX" link to tell our local Congressmen and Senators not to enact a government-imposed performance tax on local radio.
That's our opinion, we welcome yours. Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.
