Radio Bill Fans, Foes Court Hispanic Vote
Fans and foes of legislation that would end a longstanding copyright royalty exemption granted to AM and FM radio are each hoping to win the support of Hispanic members of the House and Senate. The Free Radio Alliance and the National Association of Broadcasters, which believe the proposal would slap a "tax" on local radio, held a Tuesday briefing on Capitol Hill with Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo, host of a popular morning show on Univision Radio and radio executives from Salem Communications, Entravision Communications, Top Line Broadcasting and others. Panelists discussed how the legislation would impact diversity in voice and thought in the Spanish-language radio market and broader problems they have with the bills, which were sponsored by House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy.
In a same-day press release, the MusicFirst Coalition pointed out that the National Hispanic Conference of State Legislators recently approved a resolution that calls on Congress to pass the Performance Rights Act. In its resolution, the organization that represents Hispanic state legislators noted that broadcasters enjoy a "unique government-created exemption from having to compensate creators" and that AM and FM radio stations are the only "radio platform that does not compensate creators." MusicFirst Executive Director Jennifer Bendall, whose group is backed by record labels, unions and other industry stakeholders, said grassroots Hispanic policymakers are "strong supporters" of the legislation and their voice is an essential part of the debate. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has not formally weighed in but the Spanish Broadcasting Association has urged opposition.
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