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Save Net Radio

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By: Mojava | in: General, Music |

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Sitting at my Mac and writing this editorial, I am reflecting on how we in America seem to have a preoccupation with “saving” causes: We want to “Save the Whales,” “Save the Children,” and save our health by saying “No” to transfats in our food. These and many other causes are close to people’s hearts; being associated with them is perceived as cool, hip, and maybe even politically correct. Well, if you’re a musician, a listener/fan, or just have a stake in wanting to have music choices as we know it, you need to consider another “save”: “Save Net Radio!”

There are more than 30,000 terrestrial and Internet radio stations in the U.S. Many of these stations are small, independently owned, and without the financial backing of corporate giants. The music these stations play comes from many sources and has breathed new life into a formerly closely controlled, homogeneous music selection. Most of the music being played on traditional radio has been aimed at a narrow audience. A vast pool of talented artists was not being heard. By tapping into this pool of independent musicians these Independent radio stations are not only giving the listener options, they are literally resurrecting the music industry.

So why would somebody want to “turn down the volume” just when the party is getting started? Why put a stranglehold on net radio? What am I talking about? Let’s take a look at the potential revenue involved in playing licensed music: it’s staggering! When music is played on Internet radio the corporate giants (BMI, EMI, Universal/Vivendi, etc.) are not being compensated on the level they prefer. They want to change that!

There is a bill in Congress called, the Internet Radio Equality Act (IREA) that is aimed at stopping the big music power brokers from squashing net radio as it currently exists. Music has one of two copyright owners: Either the publisher and/or the record label own the copyright, or the artist owns it. In most cases the publishers and major labels are represented by the RIAA (Recording Industry of America Association). Sound Exchange, which represents the interests of the RIAA, wants to charge a fee for net radio stations to play music. These fees are out of line with current terrestrial radio station fees. The proposed rates are exorbitant! The suggested rate for Internet based radio stations would be somewhere between a 300 to 1,200 percent increase. It is no secret that physical CD sales have been on the decline and the labels wish to make up the difference. That difference could potentially come from the proposed fee increase. Do I have your attention now?

Imagine, you live in House A and are wired for electricity; your neighbor lives in House B (also wired for electricity). You get your music via the Internet while neighbor is satisfied with hearing his music on his radio. Your choice to listen to music over the Internet is going to raise your electric bill by three hundred percent more! That is essentially what is happening with this proposed pricing model! Unexpectedly, what they have managed to do is to awaken a sleeping giant. I don’t believe that Sound Exchange and the RIAA were prepared for the backlash that has resulted because of this proposed price increase.

The IREA bill, now in congress, aims to level the playing field. It is designed to assure parity among what radio stations (internet or terrestrial) can be charged for playing copyrighted material. Savenetradio.org is a ground roots organization put together by musicians and fans with the goal of helping save net radio from possible extinction. If the RIAA gets its way it will essentially kill a majority of internet-based programming. This programming is at the core of what the independent music movement is all about: CHOICE!

Briefly, this editorial is aimed to get your attention while you drink your latte, with your “Save the Whale” bumper sticker on your car, listening to great indie music on the net. While you are enjoying yourself you may just want to get involved and take a stance by going to www.savenetradio.org. Support this movement to protect the independent radio stations and your options for music listening.


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Posted on September 20, 2007

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