In the words of Phil Collins: "I can feel it coming
in the air tonight...Hold On!"
Or better stated, in the words of Patti Smith: "The
people have the power."
A good friend of FMC -- John Nichols -- once said, “The
civil rights movement didn’t start in the 60s.” In other words,
there were good people in America fighting segregation and racism for
years and years and years before they finally reached the historic moment
when a national movement came together and change was possible. This change
didn't happen by accident. It was the cumulative result of years of preparation,
education and organizing which finally came to full flower as a bus boycott
that captured the imagination of a country.
In the wake of the FCC’s June 2nd decision to side-step
the will of the people and hand more of the public airwaves over to media
giants we challenge you to see Chairman Powell’s deeply cynical action
as the modern equivalent of the first television footage of water cannons
and police dogs let loose on peaceful civil rights protesters.
His action has galvanized a movement. This time last year
it was very difficult to explain media concentration as a phenomenon or
a threat. Today, thanks to the arrogance of Clear Channel and the deaf
ears of our FCC commissioner, not only does everyone “get” this
issue, they are lining up to get in the fight.
So if there’s anything we want you to take away from
what happened this Monday it’s that Chairman Powell just delivered
us a movement and that this movement is going to win the battle against
media concentration. With this many people on our side, it’s inevitable.
So, welcome to the white hats. We’ve got work for you.
PS: To the thousands of folks who have recently joined our
mailing list after co-signing our FCC musicians’ letter, we’re
really excited to have you on board. Tell your friends that we’re
going to win this thing, because we are.
FCC Alters the Majority of Broadcast Ownership Rules
Yesterday – June 2 – the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) narrowly approved the most important changes to US media ownership
rules in a generation, relaxing many of the most significant restrictions
on the ownership of newspapers, radio, local television and TV networks.
In a 3-2 partisan vote, the FCC approved a package of rule changes
that previously limited the number of broadcast stations a company
could own in a city and restricted a company from owning both a newspaper
and a radio or television station in the same market. The rules limiting
the size of television networks were also relaxed to enable the networks
to buy more stations.
Commissioners Copps and Adelstein – the two Democrats –
forcefully dissented from these changes. “Today the Federal Communications
Commission empowers America's new media elite with unacceptable levels
of influence over the ideas and information upon which our society
and our democracy depend,” said Commissioner Michael Copps before
launching into a laser-like critique of the rule changes.
There’s a good review of the rule changes at this
link.
Ironically, now that the vote is over, there are hundreds of news
stories about this decision available for review. Here are a few good
sources:
The New
York Times has built a special section about the media ownership
rules:
FCC Votes to Ease Media Ownership Rules
By Frank Ahrens Washington
Post, June 2, 2003
Includes a great sidebar with links to ownership rules and all the
commissioners’ statements.
“Today the Republican majority at the FCC made a cynical and
short-sighted decision to push forward with their campaign to reduce
and eliminate time-honored rules and safeguards which have defended
citizen’s access to diverse, competitive and local media. In
doing so they blatantly ignored the will of public and warnings from
industry leaders, congressional representatives, city councils, consumer
advocates, academics, creators and community groups. These rules were
originally enacted to prevent the growth of media monopolies and ensure
a diversity of voices. In their absence we anticipate a period of
unprecedented consolidation and a swift transformation of our existing
media to one that is less representative, less responsive, less diverse,
and less competitive. The negative impact of these changes on culture,
civic participation and democracy cannot be understated.” […]
This statement is just the most recent effort in our ongoing work
to highlight media ownership issues and their effects on citizens
and musicians. Over the past year, the FMC has conducted research,
written testimony, sent letters, organized artists and talked to the
press about the negative consequences of the FCC’s effort to
remove media ownership rules. To recap:
Research
---------------------------------------------
In November 2002, the FMC released “Radio
Deregulation: Has it Served Citizens and Musicians?” This
report was a thorough analysis and documentation of the state of the
radio industry since its deregulation following the 1996 Telecommunications
Act. The FMC concluded that radio’s unprecedented consolidation
since 1996 should serve as a “cautionary tale” for policymakers
considering deregulation of other media.
Hearings and Testimony
---------------------------------------------
In January 2003, Jenny Toomey joined Eagle’s rocker Don Henley,
Clear Channel’s Lowry Mays, NAB’s Eddie Fritts and broadcaster
Robert Short in front of the Senate Commerce Committee on radio ownership
issues. Over the following months FMC board members also participated
in many other hearings. Jenny testified at the only FCC-sanctioned
hearing in Richmond, VA. She also participated in the raucous FCC
hearing in Seattle, a forum on ownership at Columbia University Law
School, and the hearing in Durham, NC. Peter DiCola testified at the
hearing in Detroit, MI. Kristin Thomson attended the public hearing
in Philadelphia organized by Media Tank, and Michael Bracy participated
in a roundtable at the FCC last week and attended yesterday’s
vote. You can review various testimony and statements here.
Coalition Efforts
---------------------------------------------
In March 2003, the FMC joined a broad coalition of consumer advocates,
unions, and community groups to send letters to Chairman Powell and
members of Congress expressing our concern about the proposed ownership
changes. You can review the letters here.
Getting Musicians’ Message to FCC
---------------------------------------------
In April 2003, the FMC worked with other music organizations to send
a letter co-signed by an impressive list of well-known and respected
musicians to FCC’s chairman Michael Powell. The letter urged
the FCC to grant Congress and the public a full opportunity to review
any proposed changes of media ownership rules before they are enacted.
The letter was co-signed by Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, David Crosby,
Neil Diamond, John Doe, Don Henley, Indigo Girls, Billy Joel, Lenny
Kaye, Toby Keith, Ian MacKaye, Ray Manzarek, Ellis L. Marsalis, Jr.,
Mya, Tim McGraw, Paul D. Miller, Sam Moore, Thurston Moore, Stevie
Nicks, Joan Osborne, Van Dyke Parks, Pearl Jam, Sandy Pearlman, Tom
Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Kevin Richardson, Patti Smith, Stephan Smith,
Michael Stipe, Tom Waits, Jennifer Warnes, Saul Williams, and Nancy
Wilson.
The FMC also invited any musicians equally concerned about media ownership
issues to co-sign this letter. To date over 4100 musicians added their
signatures to the document, which was re-delivered to the FCC on May
28. You can read the letter or review the list of signatories here.
Here’s a bit of press about it:
Musicians blast FCC plan
Members of R.E.M., Pearl Jam decry radio consolidation
By Joanne Ostrow Denver
Post, May 22, 2003
Rock stars rap FCC proposal
by Greg Gatlin Boston
Herald, May 22, 2003
More Research
---------------------------------------------
In late April the FMC did what it seemed like nobody else had done,
including the FCC itself – we actually read and evaluated the
comments filed by citizens in the FCC’s docket on this rulemaking.
With the help of nearly 20 FMC volunteers, we were able to review
and rate each public comment in the docket as of May 8, which totaled
nearly 10,000 comments. On May 14 we released the results of this
analysis. Of the 9360 citizen comments reviewed, 9065 citizens unaffiliated
to a corporation, organization or association opposed changing existing
media ownership rules that would pave the way for further consolidation,
while only 11 unaffiliated citizens supported changing the rules,
which indicated overwhelming public opposition to these rule changes.
You can check out more about this research project on the FMC website.
The FMC would like to THANK all our amazing volunteers for helping
us with this monumental data analysis project. The research was not
only referenced publicly by members of Congress – Senators Barbara
Boxer and Wayne Allard, most notably – and FCC commissioners,
but was also highlighted in Billboard, Radio and Records, Congress
Daily, NPR’s Talk of the Nation and Morning Edition, The Nation,
Salon.com, CNN, The Washington Post, and ABC’s Sunday morning
talk show hosted by George Stephanopoulis. A PDF of these press clips
is downloadable at:
http://www.futureofmusic.org/images/pressFCCdocket.pdf
And a couple of key press stories about the public and the FCC:
Last stop before the media monopoly
FCC chairman Michael Powell is likely to get media ownership deregulated
-- even though public comment is running 97 percent against it.
By Eric Boehlert Salon.com,
May 23, 2003
The big blackout Surprise, surprise: The TV networks that will benefit from the
new FCC rules on media ownership have been keeping their viewers in
the dark about the changes.
By Eric Boehlert Salon.com,
May 22, 2003
Rule Changes Already Under Attack
-------------------------------------------------------
Many have speculated that today’s rule changes would be swiftly
challenged in court. But even before any telecom lawyers could get
their briefs in order, a number of senators called a press conference
on Capitol Hill announcing their concern about certain portions of
the rule changes. Less than an hour after the FCC hearing was over,
Senators Lott, Dorgan and Hollings were suggesting that they might
have enough votes in the Senate to overturn rule that increased the
national TV ownership cap from 35 percent to 45 percent.
Things might get even more interesting on Wednesday morning at 9:30
AM ET when all five FCC commissioners will appear before the Senate
Commerce Committee. Chaired by Senator John McCain, the commissioners
will most likely be grilled by committee members on yesterday’s
rule changes – something we wish had happened before the rule
changes were voted upon but we appreciate the Committee’s continued
interest in this topic. This hearing will be webcast via http://www.capitolhearings.org
and most likely be broadcast live on CSPAN.
And if that wasn’t enough for one day, two key members of the
Senate Judiciary Committee – Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH) and
Herb Kohl (D-WI) – expressed “serious reservations”
about the FCC decision and said future media mergers should get close
scrutiny from antitrust regulators at the Justice Department and Federal
Trade Commission. The senators issued a joint statement saying the
agencies should “stand guard to prevent deals which will substantially
injure competition in these industries that are so vital in providing
the news and information relied upon by millions of Americans.”
What You Can Do
-------------------------------------------------------
With Congress all hot under the collar about these rule changes, the
next few days are an excellent time for you to write or call your
federal representatives to express your views on media ownership.
It’s critical that they hear from constituents who can offer
personal stories and experiences about how media consolidation has
impacted the quality of radio, newspapers and TV in their communities.
This can happen either via phone or email.
Not sure how to get in touch with your elected officials? Go
here and type in your ZIP
If you call, explain that you are a constituent and you would like
to speak to the staff person who handles media ownership issues. If
you get voice mail, leave your name and number along with a brief
message. Most members will also provide email address or webforms
on their personal web pages.
If you'd like some more information about these issues before sending
your message or calling, go to our media
activism page or visit the Free Press website at http://www.mediareform.net
The FMC pledges to keep on top of these issues as they develop. As
more of our mass media is controlled by multinational conglomerates,
it becomes much more critical for policy makers to promote structures
that guard independent and non-commercial voices. Over the next few
months, FMC will work to promote issues such as webcasting and low
power FM, both of which provide new ways for alternative voices and
music to be heard.
California State Senate Passes Record Label Accounting Legislation
On May 29, the California State Senate passed SB 1034. Introduced
by Senator Kevin Murray, the bill “would specify that the obligation
of a recording company to accurately account for royalties earned
under a recording artist contact is a fiduciary duty.” In other
words, record labels would have to account properly to their artists.
There’s a great analysis of the bill here.
The FMC has joined AFTRA, AFM, Artists’ Empowerment Coalition,
Recording Artists’ Coalition, California Labor Federation, Department
of Professional Employees of the AFL-CIO, Music Managers’ Forum,
Professional Musicians Local 47, Screen Actors Guild and many individual
recording artists to express support for the passage of these new
accounting rules.
What’s Next and What You Can Do
-------------------------------------------------------
SB 1034 now moves to the California State Assembly where the bill
may not have as much support. AFTRA urges musicians, songwriters,
recording artists and managers -- especially those living in California
or under contract in California -- to send a letter or a fax to Senator
Murray and express their opinions about these proposed rules.
Honorable Kevin Murray
California State Capitol
Room 4082
Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Murray can be faxed at: 916.445.8899
Apple’s iTunes Has Big Launch
In late April, Apple launched its own digital music service -- the
iTunes Music Store. The service offers legitimate licensed downloads
from all five major labels for 99 cents each and, unlike the deals
with Musicnet and Pressplay, iTunes allows burning songs onto an unlimited
number of CDs for personal use, listening to songs on an unlimited
number of iPods, playing songs on up to three Macintosh computers,
and using songs in any application on the Mac, including iPhoto, iMovie
and iDVD.
iTunes has been a smashing success, with over 3 million songs downloads
in the first three weeks. Now, labels and artists of all sorts are
rushing to figure out either a) why Apple has been so successful where
others have wallowed and/or b) how they can get on board. Apple has
stated that it wants to expand its library to include non-major label
content, and that it’s working on a PC version of iTunes, which
would greatly expand its consumer base.
The FMC is very interested in understanding any new business models
that could benefit the broad base of musicians, and we're very encouraged
that Apple has introduced a system that could be the most promising
legal distribution model yet. We are currently examining Apple’s
model from the musician/label perspective and will be providing some
comprehensive analysis of iTunes and other digital distribution services
in the near future.
In the meantime, check out some of these stories:
Microsoft, again: Apple's old nemesis In a masterstroke of technological and marketing acumen, Apple
Computer appeared to have seized the digital music industry last month
by boldly creating its own retail download service.
By Evan Hansen CNET,
May 29, 2003
Let Someone Else Do It: Dig Tunes Industry watchers say the decision by Sony and UMG to sell their
service Pressplay to Roxio indicates a shift that the major labels
are turning away from distributing music online. By letting someone
else 'own the highway,' they can still reap some of the profits. Wired,
May 26, 2003
Music Biz Buzzing Over ITunes Apple's new online music store is a home run with customers: Opening-day
downloads rival six months' worth of legal downloads from all the
competing services. But it's still in its early days with holes in
its catalog and limitations on song sharing.
By Leander Kahney. Wired.com,
May 3, 2003
Dollar Songs: Bargain or Rip-Off?
Apple CEO Steve Jobs made headlines this week when he unveiled a sleek
music download service that charges users 99 cents a song. But some
experts say that's just not cheap enough to lure away users from free
peer-to-peer file-trading networks.
By Joanna Glasner Wired.com,
May 1, 2003
And in related news:
Roxio buys Pressplay, to relaunch Napster Santa Clara-based Roxio bought pressplay for $12.5 million in
cash and approximately 3.9 million shares of Roxio common stock. Pressplay,
based in Los Angeles, is the joint venture of Universal Music Group
and Sony Music Entertainment, record companies that were seeking a
legal alternative to Napster. Roxio bought the Napster brand on the
cheap after the company dissolved, and appears ready to relaunch the
brand as an online music store.
Associated Press Salon.com,
May 19, 2003
Other Articles in the Newsstream
Singer Elvis Costello Defends Outspoken Artists "We all live in fairly dangerous times in terms of freedom
of speech and freedom of expression," Costello said. "A
lot of the songwriters that I've admired and learned from ... are
people who spoke in matters of conscience as well as matters of the
heart. I think that it's essential that we defend that right." Reuters,
May 21, 2003
A TiVo Player for the Radio Several new devices let users record programs and listen to them
whenever they want. Like digital video recorders, these digital audio
recorders let listeners fast-forward past commercials.
By Elisa Batista Wired.com,
May 12, 2003
P2P Whipping Boy: Know the Risks Sued by the music industry trade group RIAA for running a 'Napster-like'
network on campus, Joe Nievelt agreed to pay $15,000 to settle the
lawsuit. But the Michigan Tech junior says he doubts his high-profile
case will have much impact on file trading.
By Katie Dean Wired.com,
May 10, 2003
Book Excerpt: All the Rave What were the behind-the-scenes machinations that led to several
music publishers suing Bertelsmann earlier this year? In this excerpt
from All the Rave: The Rise and Fall of Shawn Fanning's Napster,
author Joseph Menn explains how the German publishing conglomerate's
alliance with Napster went wrong. Wired.com,
May 6, 2003
School Blocks Out File-Trading Amid growing pressure from the Recording Association of America
to stamp out illegal file-trading on university campuses, a New Jersey
school takes matters into its own hands.
By Katie Dean. Wired.com,
May 3, 2003
What We're Doing
Jenny Toomey Jenny Toomey has spent the last month preparing for the June 2nd
vote. She ran up against ex FCC Commissioner Dick Wiley on CNN and
discussed Clear Channel's desire to buy stations in England on the
BBC. She participated in a conference call/press conference with Michael
Mills of REM and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam as well as Robert McChesney
and Common Cause. She also had a very inspiring weekend at the second
Annual Tape Op conference in Portland, where against all odds she
enjoyed a power point presentation documenting the history of music
and technology. She is currently expecting an iPod.
Kristin Thomson Kristin has been trying to keep up with the furious pace of life
these days, with an FCC on the verge of massive rule changes and an
infant that’s quickly moving from crawling to toddling. Kristin
is heading out to Silicon Valley this week for a seminar about iTunes
hosted by Apple. Exciting! More about this in the next newsletter.
Brian Zisk Brian's been looking at situations where major media companies
use their size and legal resources to unconscionably prevent artists
from proceeding with their recording careers. More will be revealed
on this shortly.
Michael Bracy And who ever said FCC rulemakings can't be fun? Since the FCC
launched their review of media ownership rules late last year, we've
released a study, held a summit, testified before the Senate and the
FCC, had a baby, survived snipers, "code orange" and a war,
briefed dozens of reporters and policy makers and coordinated efforts
with thousands of activists who share our concern both about the policy
direction of the FCC and the process they chose to employ. We have
been inspired by the leadership of FCC Commissioners Copps and Adelstein,
not to mention the over half-million comments received at the FCC.
Now, as baby Owen learns to sleep through the night, Michael hopes
that his reoccurring dreams about 3-2 votes and FCC process will be
replaced with visions of Redskin touchdowns dancing through his head.
Otherwise, Michael is excited by the prospect of taking the media
ownership fight to Capitol Hill, both in terms of contesting the plan
adopted by the FCC on June 2 and working with Congress to allow LPFM
licenses in urban markets.
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
