Things never seem to slow down at the FMC.
With the media deregulation issues still on the front burners, we've been
submitting testimony, preparing documents and participating in a variety
of events, including the FCC hearing in Richmond, VA, the upcoming hearing
in Seattle and events at South by Southwest. There are lots of details
about the importance of these efforts to musicians and citizens below,
so read on!
FMC Delivers Testimony at FCC Field Hearing in
Richmond, VA
On February 27, FMC's Jenny Toomey participated on a panel
on localism at the FCC Field Hearing in Richmond, VA. Before we get
to a report from the hearing itself, let's review what this was about.
The Federal Communications Commission is the agency charged with managing
the public spectrum, which includes radio, TV, satellites, cable,
wi-fi, and telephones – in other words, a LOT of stuff. In recent
years, Congress and the federal courts have required the FCC to review
their existing ownership policies, usually taking the position that
current regulations should be abolished because it's believed they
artificially restrict the telecommunications/broadcast marketplace.
Critics of this position say ownership caps and other regulations
are necessary to preserve the core elements of the public spectrum:
competition, localism and diversity.
Decisions about the rules governing the use of the public spectrum
have, for many years, rolled through Congress and the FCC without
much public debate. Even with the diligent work of media justice organizations
and key academics, these crucial decisions about how the public spectrum
is used have been made with very little input from citizens themselves.
But the landscape is changing. Over the past year and a half, there's
been an unprecedented amount of attention on media ownership issues;
the result of more scrutiny in the mainstream press, fantastic investigative
journalism from Salon's Eric Boehlert, Los Angeles Times'
Chuck Philips, The Nation's John Nichols and Robert McChesney
and others, and the insistence of key policymakers that the FCC must
not make these decisions hastily or without significant public comment.
What's currently on the table at the FCC is a required review of existing
broadcast ownership rules. According to the FCC, this review has generated
one of the most exhaustive records in the agency's history. The FCC
has received more than 15,000 comments in this proceeding, the majority
of which are from the general public. But Commissioner Copps, knowing
the long-term impact of these proposed rule changes to the entire
media landscape, thought that the process of submitting public comments
via the FCC's website was not enough. That's why he pressed the FCC
to hold field hearings, which would take the five commissioners out
of the Beltway and to communities where citizens could express their
opinions directly to policymakers.
FCC Chair Michael Powell agreed to attend not many, but one, public
hearing, and so on February 27 the five commissioners trudged down
to Richmond, VA for a field hearing. It was all-day affair, during
which representatives from various media corporations and consumer
groups sat on panels covering topics like "TV", "Newspapers"
and "Localism", delivering short statements and taking questions
from the commissioners. The FMC's Jenny Toomey joined Frank Blethen
(Seattle Times), Thomas Herwitz (Fox Television Stations), Mark Mays
(Clear Channel), Deborah McDermott (Young Broadcasting), Chris Powell
(Journal Inquirer) and John Sturm (Newspaper Association of America)
for a panel focusing on "Localism". As we did in front of
the Senate Commerce Committee at the end of January, our testimony
emphasized the negative consequences that the 1996 Telecommunications
Act had on musicians and citizens.
"There is scant evidence that the basic regulatory principles
of competition, diversity and localism have been improved in any way,
shape or form by the radical restructuring of the industry that has
taken place over the past six years," Jenny said. "Rather,
we are very concerned that this restructuring has created significant
harm to this critical public resource. We see a dramatic loss of localism.
We see an industry that has lost one-third of its owners over the
past six years. We see virtually every local market under the control
of four companies or fewer. And we have yet to find a compelling argument
that radio listeners, professional broadcasters, local governments,
social service agencies or musicians benefit from these changes."
Time was set aside between panels for citizens to express their opinions
about media ownership from the floor. From the comments given by various
citizens – from media activists, to teachers, to labor union
members, to concerned parents – it was clear that media concentration
and further consolidation were issues that resonated loudly with them.
The vast majority of citizens urged the commissioners not to cast
off existing regulations, but to preserve rules that would protect
localism, diversity and competition. Citizens also registered a variety
of complaints about the current state of radio and TV, from general
homogeneity of the airwaves to the rise in vulgar language and offensive
content on TV and radio.
Here are a couple of press clips about the Richmond hearing, with
the story on Richmond.com being the most detailed we've found:
Media Meltdown Obscures FCC Debate
…a new survey shows that 72 percent of Americans know "nothing
at all" about the debate in which FCC Commissioner Michael Copps
says "fundamental values and democratic virtues are at stake."
By John Nichols The
Nation, February 27, 2003
And some more background about the turf battle royale going on between
the FCC and Congress. Eric Boehlert's piece in Salon is particularly
great:
Clear Channel's big, stinking deregulation mess
The sorry state of the radio industry today is sabotaging FCC chairman
Michael Powell's plans to let media conglomerates run wild.
By Eric Boehlert Salon.com,
February 19, 2003
FCC Chiefs Clash Over Media Rules
As part of the Federal Communications Commission's review of decades-old
media ownership restrictions, one of the agency's Democratic commissioners
plans to seek more public input. The FCC's Republican chairman, however,
thinks one public hearing is plenty. Wired,
February 7, 2003
Clear Channel: Not the Bad Boys of Radio
Lowry Mays and sons made enemies building Clear Channel into an empire.
By Christine Y. Chen FORTUNE,
February 18, 2003
Despite Michael Powell's insistence that one public hearing would
be all he needed to hear on the matter before pressing on with his
deregulatory agenda, FCC Commissioners Copps and Adelstein want to
hear more. So, both commissioners will be attending additional public
hearings to gather more input from citizens and musicians.
The next stop is Seattle, WA *this Friday*, March 7 for a hearing
and a big event at EMP. The FMC will be there as well so join us!
The hearing will be organized into three panels, focused respectively
on how media consolidation has affected news, localism and music/entertainment.
After each panel, the general public will be invited to comment. In
addition, computers will be set up outside the Auditorium that will
allow citizens to automatically log on to the FCC website where they
can add their comments. And, microphones will be available in the
lobby for audience members to give audio comments.
The hearing will be followed by a massive multimedia event at the
Experience Music Project (EMP) where folks can file comments online,
and learn more about how media ownership issues affect our ability
to make democracy work for our community and our society.
What: FUTURE OF MEDIA: Action for Media Democracy
When: Friday, March 7
Time: 7-10:30 PM
Where: Experience Music Project, Seattle, WA
Featuring:
o Chuck D and the Fine Arts Militia
o FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein
o Hard Knock Radio host and Hip Hop journalist Davey D
o US Representative Jim McDermott
o Jenny Toomey of the Future of Music Coalition
o tactical immersion lab by Spaceboat, media action center and more
Cost: Free (donations accepted)
All Ages
Public participation in these events is highly encouraged! This is
the best opportunity that citizens and musicians have to express their
opinions about media deregulation so check out the FCC website below,
which has a page dedicated to the re-examination of media ownership:
http://www.fcc.gov/ownership/
FMC at South by Southwest
From one end of the country to another! FMC members will be participating
on a number of panels and music showcases at South
by Southwest Music Conference, March 7-16, 2003 down in Austin,
TX.
On Friday, March 14, Jenny Toomey will join Mike Mills from REM, John
Doe from X, musician/poet John Sinclair from the MC5, Pakistani musician
and activist Salman Ahmad, the Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot, writer
Neal Pollack and Wavy Gravy on a panel on Artists
and Activism. Jenny will also be performing with her band at the
Misra Showcase at The Hideout that evening.
Peter DiCola will be hanging with Sandy Pearlman, Harvard's William
Terry Fisher, Peter Jenner and John Nichols to talk about the possibility
of a worldwide information industry tax. Here are some details:
Brainstorming A Worldwide Information Industry Tax
Friday March 14
2:00 - 3:15 PM
Room 13B, Austin Convention Center
In the last few years two related trend lines in digital music have
continued to inexorably unfold. The proliferation of file sharing
and/or downloading "enablers" is relentlessly de-monetizing
the music industry. Simultaneously this relentless ramp up in pirate
action has been the prime mover in the generalized ramp up of, both,
internet traffic and the sale of
internet and "reproductive" appliances. The greatest beneficiary
of of all this pirate action has in fact been the collectivity of
the world information industries. But artists need to be compensated.
Even if the conventional structures of compensation (i.e. the Record
Companies) can no longer do the job. One solution would be a worldwide
"micro" tax on the collectivity of the world information
industries. The proceeds to be distributed to artists and copyright
holders.
John Nichols, Washington Correspondent, The Nation (mod)
Sandy Pearlman, Multicast Tecnologies
Terry Fisher, Harvard Law School
Peter Jenner, Sincere Management
Peter Dicola, Future of Music Coaltion
Kristin Thomson will be joining NPR's Rick Karr, Texas Representative
Lloyd Doggett and The Nation's John Nichols for a discussion about
Government and Media Ownership on Saturday, March 15.
If you're going to be down in Austin and want to hook up with us,
please give us a shout!
FMC in the News and Other Postings in the Newsstream
More about digital distribution, the state of the music industry, and
the current crackdown on college campuses:
Labels Think Apple Has Perfect Pitch
Executives of major record firms believe a speedy, simple online music
service for Mac users will be a hit.
By John Healey Los
Angeles Times, March 4, 2003
Congress targets P2P piracy on campus
Key politicians chided universities on Wednesday for not doing enough
to
limit peer-to-peer piracy, calling unauthorized copying a federal
crime
that should be punished appropriately.
By Declan McCullagh CNET
News.com, February 26, 2003
'Five years from now you'll see virtually no CD stores'
On the eve of the Grammy Awards, the recording industry is under siege:
As
the Internet drives a file-sharing revolution, it's the end of the
(music)
world as we know it
By Joan Anderman Boston
Globe, February 23, 2003
Colleges ambivalent about anti-piracy role
By Dawn C. Chmielewski San
Jose Mercury News, February 18, 2003
Whose Song Is That, Anyway?
A new system unveiled by the music industry seeks to streamline the
way
music sales are tracked on the Internet. By Katie Dean. Wired,
February 12, 2003
What We're Doing
Jenny Toomey Jenny Toomey testified at the FCC Field
Hearing in Richmond. Mark Mays of Clear Channel is rumored to have
told her it was "always a slice of heaven" to have her around.
Jenny will be speaking at the Seattle event.
Peter DiCola Peter DiCola is working on writing a formal economic paper on
radio. He'll be on a panel at the SXSW conference in Austin, TX on
Friday, March 13th at 2pm to discuss the possibility of a worldwide
information industry tax, along with William Terry Fisher, Peter Jenner,
Sandy Pearlman, and moderator John Nichols.
Kristin Thomson Kristin has a particularly full plate in March, with preparations
for the FCC field hearing in Seattle, a seminar on the "future
of the music industry" at Drexel University, a five-day journey
to SXSW coming up, and lo! ...another Tsunami reunion in the works,
this time at Ladyfest Philly on Sunday, March 23. For more info about
that, see http://www.ladyfestphilly.org
Brian Zisk Brian spent the last few weeks in Miami, where only a small part
of it was devoted to meeting with musicians, including helping plot
the future for some Rock and Roll Hall of Famers who are dealing with
the fact that they're only getting paid a tiny fraction of what they're
supposed to.
Michael Bracy They say be careful for what you wish for…in our case it
is the full flowering of public debate about the impact of radio deregulation
on musicians and citizens. In the past eight months, we've seen Senator
Feingold introduce a comprehensive radio reform bill, a hearing at
the Senate Commerce Committee, and a series of public hearings led
by FCC Commissioners Copps and Adelstein. Finally, it seems the question
of consolidation's impact on musicians and music fans is being taken
seriously. We cannot stress enough the importance of citizens contacting
their elected representatives to discuss how changes in the radio
and concert industries impact both their communities and their livelihoods
– with the power of the broadcast lobby and Clear Channel's new
lobby shop it will take a true groundswell to stave off further consolidation.
Those of you going to Austin for SXSW will hopefully check out panel
appearances from Commissioner Adelstein, Kristin and Jenny, plus (of
course) the Misra showcase Friday, March 14 at the Hideout. Check
out http://www.misrarecords.com
for details. In the meantime, I will be missing the Seattle hearing
this week plus SXSW for the best possible reason – the impending
birth of our third child. But I'll be tracking everything very closely
and will be enjoying Austin vicariously via Kristin, Kendall, Paige,
Jenny, Timothy and everyone else in town.
Walter McDonough Walter McDonough just appeared in Toronto at Canadian Music week
where he moderated a panel of the future of the CD. He also appeared
on a panel along with Ray Parker Jr. that was sponsored by the American
and Canadian Federations of Musicians. He is continuing to work his
book about where the record industry is heading.
How are we doing?
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions
please send an email to suggestions@futureofmusic.org,
and let us know how we're doing.
Thanks for your support and see you next time.
Jenny Toomey
Michael Bracy
Brian Zisk
Walter McDonough
Kristin Thomson
Peter DiCola
FMC Announces Upcoming Events Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Washington, D.C. Policy Day and Policy Summit set for 2009.
August 5, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Commends FCC's Comcast Decision On August 1, the FCC ruled that Comcast violated net neutrality principles; the decision is a positive step in preserving the open internet. August 1, 2008
Public Enemy Frontman, Production Team and Insiders Discuss Landmark Album On July 17, FMC and Pitchfork Music Festival will host a free discussion about Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back at Chicago's Cultural Center, featuring Chuck D, members of PE's production team and music media experts.
July 8, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression
FMC and the Center for Creative Voices in Media filed a brief at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the FCC's indecency policy has a chilling effect on creativity and expression and deprives the public of access to protected speech.
July 2, 2008 Press release | Indecency amicus brief (PDF)
Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann & more "Rock the Net" on Compilation CD
Thirsty Ear Recordings to release album on July 29 to benefit FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality.
June 2, 2008 Press release | Rock the Net
Musicians Get the Hint About Health Insurance
Two Raleigh concerts in memory of musician Drew Glackin; proceeds go to Glackin's family and Future of Music Coalition's Health Insurance Navigation Tool
April 10, 2008 Press release FMC's HINT program
New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Forums in Rochester (April 28), Syracuse (April 29) and Albany (April 30) to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 25, 2008 Event details | RSVP
Pop Rockers OK Go "Tour" Congress in Support of Net Neutrality
Damian Kulash and Andy Ross discuss the importance of open Internet structures to musicians; Kulash testifies before House Judiciary Committee.
March 13, 2008 Press release
Spoken testimony
Written testimony
Rock the Net
New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Kick-off forum in Buffalo on April 2 to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres. March 7, 2008 | Event details
Philly Bands Rocking for Net Neutrality February 23 Sugar Town show at Tritone in Philadelphia will showcase lady rockers and DJs, as well as musicians' support for net neutrality. February 15, 2008
OK Go and Bonerama Rocked DC for New Orleans Musicians Bands also champion FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality February 2 benefit show at DC's 9:30 Club raised over $8,000 for New Orleans musicians. Bands played cuts off their new benefit EP, You're Not Alone, available on iTunes on February 5. February 4, 2008
Upcoming Washington, DC show and benefit EP from OK Go & Bonerama
On February 2, OK Go and Bonerama will play a benefit at D.C.'s 9:30 Club in support of You're Not Alone - an EP to support Sweet Home New Orleans and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson. January 21, 2008
Successful New Orleans Concerts Aid Big Easy Musicians
Last week, two benefit concerts raised over $6,000 for Sweet Home New Orleans - a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for the city's musicians - and Big Easy music legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 15, 2008 Press release | Event details
Ann Chaitovitz Appointed
FMC's New Executive Director A proven leader in musician and public policy issues, Chaitovitz replaces founding Executive Director Jenny Toomey January 3, 2008
Concerts for New Orleans Musicians Bring Artists Together Two New Orleans shows and upcoming benefit CD from OK Go and Bonerama January 2, 2008
FMC's Jenny Toomey Appointed Program Officer for Ford Foundation
Kristin Thomson to Serve as FMC's Interim Executive Director Michael Bracy to Chair FMC Board of Directors November 26, 2007
Seattle "Rocked the Net" Rep. Jay Inslee advocated network neutrality; joined by rocker Matt Nathanson, Reclaim the Media, FMC and local music business representatives October 31, 2007
Rock the Net: Campaign for Net Neutrality Rocks Seattle
Teleconference with Rep Jay Inslee on Tuesday, Oct 30. Matt Nathanson performs at Seattle's Crocodile Café on Tuesday, Oct. 30 October 26, 2007
Future of Music Policy Summit to Tackle Critical Issues at the Intersection of Music, Law, Technology and Policy Sen. Byron Dorgan and Sen. Ron Wyden to Deliver Keynote Addresses
Mac McCaughan, Bob Mould, Marybeth Peters of the U.S. Copyright Office and More Than 90 Other Panelists Confirmed. September 10, 2007 Summit home page Press Credentialing
AT&T's muting of bands points toward a pattern of silencing political speech Content monitor did not edit out 20 instances of curse words during Pearl Jam webcast, despite AT&T claim it hires monitors to block "excessive profanity". August 13, 2007
Top musicians, lawyers, technologists confirmed for FMC's 7th annual Policy Summit August 13, 2007 Press Release Summit home page Press Credentialing
FMC Statement on AT&T Silencing Pearl Jam's lyrics during Lollapalooza webcast August 9, 2007
FMC Statement on Federal Trade Commission Report on Net Neutrality June 29, 2007
FMC files testimony with House Small Business Committee on CRB Webcasting Rates June 27, 2007 Press Release | Testimony
Clear Channel strips local, independent artists of digital performance royalties
FMC has discovered that Clear Channel's online application for local and independent artists to submit their music for airplay on each of its stations requires the artist to approve a licensing agreement that does away with their digital performance right. June 22, 2007
Low Power Radio Gets New Push in Congress
Congress introduces bills to create hundreds of new low power FM radio stations to cities and suburbs across the country. June 22, 2007
FMC Announces Dates for 7th annual Policy Summit
September 17-18, 2007
GWU Betts Theatre, Washington, DC June 11, 2007
FMC Organizes "Musicians Bringing Musicians Home II"
A Benefit Concert on May 27 at New Orleans' Tipitina's for Sweet Home New Orleans featuring: Indigo Girls, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Matt Nathanson, Pamela Z...and special guests
May 23, 2007 Press Release | Details
Congressman Mike Doyle to address conference on music, law and technology
May 2 event will bring together leading experts from worlds of music, law, technology and policy. April 25, 2007
A2IM Endorses Rock the Net Campaign
American Association of Independent Music urges its label members to join the campaign for network neutrality. April 17, 2007
Music Mashes with Policy at upcoming Technology and IP Policy Day
May 2 event will bring together leading experts from worlds of music, law, technology and policy. April 16, 2007
FMC Applauds FCC's Payola Settlement
Payola agreement by FCC and big broadcast chains represents a major - but tentative - step toward once again opening the nation's airwaves to local music and voices. April 13, 2007
Rep. Edward Markey, Ted Leo kick off "Rock the Net"
Nearly 150 artists and labels have already signed onto campaign for net neutrality
March 27, 2007 Press Release | Rock the Net
Major Artists To Join Launch of Rock the Net Campaign for Net Neutrality March 23, 2007
FMC Statement on FCC's "Rules of Engagement" On Payola March 5, 2007
FMC Files Reply Comments in FCC Media Ownership Proceeding January 16, 2007
FMC Statement on FCC Payola Settlement
FMC's statement on FCC's reported consent decree with the broadcast industry in regards to payola. January 16, 2007
Radio Station Ownership Consolidation Shown to Harm Musicians and the Public
FMC study shows that the rapid consolidation of the commercial radio industry that followed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has led to a loss of localism, less competition, fewer viewpoints and less diversity in radio programming in media markets across the country.
December 13, 2006 Press release Report details
FMC Organizes Musicians Bringing Musicians Home Benefit concert at New Orleans' Tipitina's on November 6th featuring Steve Earle, Mike Mills, Allison Moorer, Tom Morello, Boots Riley, Corin Tucker and special guests.
October 23, 2006 Read press release Read press coverage
Job
Losses Associated with Radio Consolidation Undermine Localism and Diversity FMC, Newspaper Guild and Consumers Union urge FCC to take employment effects
of their policies into account during upcoming review of media ownership rules August 9, 2006
FMC Releases Research on Employment and Wage Effects of Radio Consolidaton August 9, 2006
FMC on Preserving the Dynamism of the Internet Opinion Piece on ABC News June 29, 2006
FMC Statement on Senate Commerce Committee Vote in Support of LPFM June 28, 2006
FMC Statement on FCC Media Ownership Proceeding June 21, 2006
Indie-rock revolution, fueled by net neutrality Op-ed by FMC's Jenny Toomey and Michael Bracy June 13, 2006
Pearl Jam Donation To Help Musicians Help Themselves Proceeds From Washington, DC Appearance to be Donated to FMC Artist Research
Council May 25, 2006 Press Release
FMC signs on letter to preserve net neutrality May 17, 2006
FMC Announces Dates for Sixth Annual Future of Music Policy Summit
October 5-7, 2006 Media Advisory May 15, 2006
FMC Statement on Release of Feingold's Radio and Concert Disclosure
and Competition Act of 2005 November 18, 2005
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Commerce Committee in Support of a
Public Performance Right for Sound Recordings October 19, 2005
Top Names in Music, Law, Technology and Policy Return to Debate Critical
Issues at Fifth Annual Future of Music Policy Summit
September 6, 2005 Media Advisory | Policy
Summit home page
FMC Announces Health Insurance Navigation Tool
August 9, 2005 HINT Home Page
FMC Press Release: Music Mashes with Policy at DC Policy Day April 8, 2005
FMC's Michael Bracy Testifies in front
of House Judiciary Committee on "Digital Music Interoperability" April 6, 2005
FMC files comments at US Copyright Office on "Orphan
Works"
Comments also ask Copyright
Office to consider status of out-of-print recordings March 25, 2005
FMC Sends Letter to Senate Stating Concerns about S 193, Broadcast Decency Enforcement
Act March
10, 2005
FMC and artist groups file joint reply comments at FCC on localism in broadcasting,
MB Docket 04-233
January
3, 2005 PDF of document
