Press Releases

FMC Urges FCC to Investigate Allegations of Radio Payola

February 15, 2006

In a February 15 letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, the Future of Music Coalition (FMC) expressed enthusiasm over recent news reports that the Commission was launching a thorough investigation into allegations that some radio station conglomerates have been engaging in payola. FMC urged the agency to complete this investigation before moving ahead with any rulemakings that would allow for further radio deregulation, or the granting of additional resources to commercial radio broadcasters during the transition to HD radio. read more

FMC Statement on Radio and Concert Disclosure and Competition Act of 2005

November 18, 2005

Senator Russ Feingold should be personally thanked by every independent musician in America. Finally we have a bill that expands the definition of "payola" to eliminate the inside dealing and structural abuses in consolidated radio that have locked local, unaffiliated and independent artists off the airwaves for years. read more

George Clinton and Jerry Harrison Join Top Names in Music, Law, Technolgy and Policy at Future of Music Policy Summit

September 6, 2005

WASHINGTON – Moving into its fifth year, the Future of Music Policy Summit brings top-notch experts together with musicians, attorneys, advocates and policymakers to explore emerging music/technology issues through a robust debate. Presented in partnership with the Entertainment & Sports Law Committee of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc. (MICPEL), the Future of Music Policy Summit will provide musicians, attorneys, advocates and policymakers with opportunity to understand emerging music/technology issues through a robust debate. read more

FMC Announces Fifth Annual Future of Music Policy Summit

July 26, 2005

Top names in music, technology, law, academia and policy will convene in Washington, DC from September 11–13, 2005 to discuss crucial issues facing musicians and the music industry. Presented in partnership with the Entertainment & Sports Law Committee of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc. (MICPEL), the Future of Music Policy Summit will provide musicians, attorneys, advocates and policymakers with opportunity to explore critical issues through a robust debate.

FMC Statement on MGM v. Grokster and Brand X

June 27, 2005

Two of today’s Supreme Court rulings cover separate but interconnected issues that will impact the future of the music economy. NCTA v Brand X impacts the basic architecture of the internet, while MGM v Grokster affects the applications that are offered to consumers using the internet. read more

Music Mashes with Policy at FMC Policy Day

April 8, 2005

On Tuesday, April 12, top names in music, technology, law, academia and policy will convene in Washington, DC to discuss crucial policy issues facing musicians and the music industry. Panelists and participants will come together for the Future of Music Coalition’s DC Policy Day at the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Barbara Jordan Conference Center to focus on four critical topics emerging in the Courts, Congress, and at the Copyright Office: digital audio broadcasting and the future of radio, low power FM and community voices, health insurance and musicians, and copyright in the courts and Congress.

Report Finds Musicians and Artists use Internet to Advance Their Work, Connect Directly with Audiences

December 5, 2004

A just-released study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project provides a current and comprehensive snapshot of artists’ and musicians’ opinions about the internet and copyright in the digital age. The report – "Artists, Musicians and the Internet" – finds that musicians and artists have embraced the internet as a tool that helps them create, promote, and sell their work. However, they are divided about the impact and importance of free file-sharing and other copyright issues. read more

Artist Groups and Unions File Joint Reply Comments On Transition To Digital Audio Broadcasting At FCC

August 2, 2004

Five prominent organizations representing recording artists and musicians filed reply comments [PDF] at the Federal Communications Commission in the proceeding examining the upcoming transition from analog to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) (MM Docket 99-325). In their joint filing, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), the Future of Music Coalition (FMC), The Recording Academy®, and the Recording Artists’ Coalition (RAC) expressed broad support for and excitement about the opportunities that digital audio broadcasting presents to citizens and recording artists. read more

Angel of the Public Interest Not Invisible to Third Circuit

June 25, 2004

The Future of Music Coalition applauds the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for rejecting FCC Chairman Michael Powell’s attempts to eliminate many of the longstanding media ownership rules that ensure localism, competition and diversity. read more

FMC Statement on the Introduction of S.2505, the Low Power Radio Act of 2004

June 4, 2004

WASHINGTON – For the past four years, the establishment of hundreds of new community based Low Power FM radio stations has been a sliver of hope among the devestation brought by massive consolidation of commercial radio. Since the FCC implemented a new class of non-commercial Low Power stations in 2000, hundreds of organizations have united to bring their unique perspectives to the local airwaves. Congress, sadly, circumvented the Senate Commerce Committee to pass legislation limiting implementation of these stations to small towns and rural parts of the country pending further taxpayer-funded study of the technical impact of these tiny 100-watt stations. read more