Music and Rumors of Music

In June of last year, the FCC opened up the media ownership rules wide enough for Clear Channel and its ilk to drive their outlet gobbling machines through. That is to say, any one company may own one town's largest newspaper, cable company, up to eight radio stations, and two (or three) television stations. A coalition of over 9 different organizations including AFTRA, the Future of Music Coalition, and Portland's own Sisyphus, Bruce Fife, of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM, local 99), has voiced a list of grievances about the deregulation:

1. Vertical integration of radio ownership with other entertainment and media enterprises

Large radio group owners, such as Clear Channel, are using their station licensees, who have control over local venues, to strong arm bands into playing for less than market rates or even free for chances at radio play. This means Menomena at the Roseland won't be happening anytime soon.

2. Payola

This is the illegal practice of providing favors, such as concert tickets or money, to the radio stations for influence on who they play. While Clear Channel and friends have announced they will sever ties with independent radio stations, a statement it made claims it will buddy up directly with labels to promote activities like "group-wide" contests involving artists. The coalition’s concern, since Clear Channel is a national radio company, is that national musical acts will receive venue and airplay consideration over musicians in the local markets. Can anyone say bribe?

3. Widespread radio ownership consolidation

This referes to general concerns over a loss of localism, competition, viewpoints, and diversity in radio programming, due to only one or two companies owning the mass media outlets. Air America may be a breath of fresh air, but it still is a Clear Channel station.

4. Low power radio

Currently, FM stations that operate at 100 watts or less (a few block radius), created for community based, non-commercial entities like churches, schools, and other community minded groups, are highly regulated by the FCC. Findings show that interference with larger radio stations is not an issue, which means one can still listen to KUFO should one actually want to.

So in short, that's their beef. You can read the full press release on our website www.musicliberationproject.com. You can get more directly involved by attended a conference sponsored by the City Club of Portland, Free Press, and the FCC's Localism Task Force on June 24th, at the Convention center in the Oregon Ballroom, #204, 777 NE MLK, Jr. Blv. The event is free and open to the public. If you are member of the media, you can prearrange meetings with a member of any of the above organizations by contacting Tim Krause at tim@pdxcityclub.org or call 503-288-7231. Get involved. Air is free. -mlp