Future of Music Coalition Statement on the Senate
Commerce Committee's
14-7 vote in support of the McCain/Cantwell LPFM
Amendment
WASHINGTON, DC – We applaud the Senate Commerce Committee's overwhelming
bipartisan vote of 14-7 in support of allowing the Federal Communications
Commission to expand non-commercial Low Power FM radio stations into
urban markets. Today's vote was part of the Committee's larger debate
on a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s telecommunications
laws.
"This vote reaffirms the importance of this valuable service,
and we are hopeful that Congress will once and for all lift the unnecessary
restrictions that have blocked hundreds of schools, churches and community
groups from operating these local, non-commercial stations in more populated
areas," said FMC Policy Director, Michael Bracy. "In
particular, we applaud the leadership of Senators McCain and Cantwell,
who have championed LPFM for years."
LPFM is of critical importance to the music community. Since the passage
of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the commercial radio marketplace has experienced
drastic ownership consolidation, which has left radio listeners and the music
community with narrowly tailored, hit-driven playlists, a loss of localism
and the elimination of significant musical genres from the airwaves. LPFM
provides a vital local connection through a non-commercial platform willing
and eager to broadcast classical, jazz, zydeco, punk, folk, big band and many
other musical genres that reflect our diverse musical heritage.
Not only does LPFM provide a boost to the music community across the country,
it also reinvigorates radio itself. It’s long past time for
the big broadcasters to recognize that the LPFM is not a threat, rather
another method to bring listeners back to terrestrial radio.
“Today's vote is a big step toward helping the FCC do the right thing with
LPFM,” said FMC Executive Director, Jenny Toomey, “but merely expanding
LPFM licensing is not a substitute for a comprehensive strategy to address massive
media consolidation, entrenched payola and the need for a clear and necessary
affirmation of net neutrality principles. While we dearly wish to see LPFM expanded,
real reform must include an FCC that demonstrates the importance of understanding
and accounting for the harm done by runaway radio consolidation and payola, and
a Congress that's willing to embrace the principles of network neutrality and
demonstrate a strong commitment to an open, innovative future communications
framework.”
About the Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research
and advocacy organization that identifies, examines, interprets and translates
the challenging issues at the intersection of music, law, technology
and policy. FMC achieves this through continuous interaction with its
primary constituency – musicians – and in collaboration with
other creator/citizen groups.
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March 25, 2008 Event details | RSVP
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March 13, 2008 Press release
Spoken testimony
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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
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Ann Chaitovitz Appointed
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GWU Betts Theatre, Washington, DC June 11, 2007
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
