Radio

FMC Files Comments in FCC Indecency Rulemaking

Post by FMC Legal Intern Satie Munn

OK, gang: it’s time to get indecent (again).

Huh? Well, as we reported last summer, the Supreme Court of the United States decided in FCC v. Fox that the Federal Communication Commission’s indecency policy was too vague and violated broadcasters’ due process rights by not providing “fair notice” of clear rules. FMC and the Center For Creative Voices in Media filed a brief in the case, arguing that the FCC regulation was applied so arbitrarily that it chills creative expression.

And, lo and behold, we won. Now, a year later, we — along with the rest of the interested public — get to tell the FCC what we think their indecency policy should be. Which we just did.

FMC Comments in FCC Broadcast Indecency Rulemaking

In June 2012, the Supreme Court decided in FCC v. Fox that the FCC’s indecency policy was too vague and violated broadcasters’ due process rights by not providing “fair notice” of clear rules. FMC and the Center For Creative Voices in Media filed an amicus brief in the case, arguing that the FCC regulation was applied so arbitrarily that it chills creative expression. Now, a year later, we — along with the rest of the interested public — have the opportunity to tell the FCC what we think their indecency policy should be. The following are comments submitted to the FCC in their rulemaking proceedings.

________________________________________________________

In the Matter of
FCC Seeks Comment on Adopting Egregious Cases Policy
GN Docket No. 13–86

Comments of Future of Music Coalition

I. Introduction read more

Why Would Pandora Purchase an FM Radio Station?

In fall of 2012, major webcaster Pandora — along with satellite radio company Sirius/XM and broadcasting behmoth Clear Channel — pushed for legislation called the Internet Radio Fairness Act (IRFA). The bill was met with major controversy, with opponents (including many artists) arguing that the proposed legislation would dramatically reduce the royalties paid by webcasters to performers and sound recording owners (typically labels, but sometimes artists).

Guess Who's Behind the "Local Radio Freedom Act"?

Post authored by Communications Intern Olivia Brown

To anyone who loves truly local radio as much as we do, the “Local Radio Freedom Act” — the latest in a series of Congressional rumblings related to copyright and royalty issues — may sound like a noble cause. But look past the doublespeak title, and you’ll find that one man’s “freedom” is another man’s free lunch. read more

The power of Low Power FM

By Daimon Eklund

Flip The Media

March 22, 2013

Although some may question the importance of niche broadcast radio stations when an online radio station can be set up with little overhead, Michael Bracy, policy director for the Future of Music Coalition, said LPFM can reach people an online station may not, as well as allow people in those communities to make their voices heard.

“In terms of economic justice, and who actually gets to talk, a lot of people who are still listening to radio as a predominent communications form are the people who don’t necessarily have access to broadband,” Bracy said. “They’re also the ones that aren’t really targeted by commercial media, and frankly, when you look at the demographics they’re not particularly well-served by public radio.” read more

FMC Statement on Departure of FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced that he would be stepping down from his post, which he has held since the 2008 election of President Barack Obama. read more

Future of Music Statement on the Departure of FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski

March 22, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced that he would be stepping down from his post, which he has held since the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.

The following statement is attributed to Casey Rae, Deputy Director of Future of Music Coalition (FMC), a national non-profit research, education and advocacy organization for musicians.

“News of Chairman Genachowski’s departure was not unexpected, and comes at a crucial time for the FCC in terms of its commitments to an accessible media and communications environment for America. read more

SXSW: Here's what Federal Policy Has To Do With Music

By Josh Gross

Boise Weekly

March 14, 2013

Music and government may not seem like they have much in common. But four panelists did their best to convince an audience at SXSW that they were, in fact, hopelessly intertwined.

“These issues are breathtakingly complicated,” said the panel’s moderator, Michael Bracy, policy director at the Future of Music Coalition. “How do you build a regulatory structure for a market that is changing so rapidly?” read more

Future of Music 2013 Policy Outlook

Monday, March 11, 2013

For the past twelve years, Future of Music Coalition has worked to inform and engage musicians and the music community on issues that impact artists and creative culture as a whole. Some of our work is very straightforward, such as reinforcing the notion that musicians have a range of views on a host of issues and must be included in discussions about their livelihoods. Some of it is nuanced, such as examining how artists are paid in the emerging digital economy and complex questions around copyright and technology. read more

Radio Airplay & Musicians: Guest Post From The Future of Music Coalition's Artist Revenue Streams Project

By Kristin Thomson

WFMU's Beware Of The Blog

February 22, 2013

For at least fifty years of the 20th century, the relationship between music and radio airplay was fairly well understood. Record executives knew that if they wanted a hit record, they needed that song to get played on the radio, preferably as many times as possible. In fact, until 2000, radio airplay was essentially a prerequisite to selling significant amounts of recorded music. read more