Detroit Radio Bill Battle Rages On
Following on last week's passage of a resolution by the NAACP saluting House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and supporting performance royalties for musicians that would be provided under a bill he is shepherding through Congress, the Detroit branch of the organization is taking similar action. The Rev. Wendell Anthony, who heads the NAACP in the Motor City appeared at a news conference Tuesday to support the bill that would let performers as well as songwriters get royalties for songs played by AM and FM stations, the Associated Press reported. Radio stations in Detroit and around the country have bashed the Conyers bill, arguing that performers and record labels already are compensated and the measure could hurt stations already struggling in the recession.
"This civil rights for musicians legislation guarantees fair pay for musicians. This is a rebuke of Radio One and Clear Channel for exploiting musicians and smearing members of the Congressional Black Caucus," a spokesman for the MusicFirst Coalition said last week upon passage of the NAACP's resolution at the group's centennial conference. Radio One founder Cathy Hughes and her son, CEO Alfred Liggins, were criticized by Conyers and other members of his committee earlier this month for refusing to appear at a hearing on minority owned media. Hughes previously wrote an open letter arguing the legislation would "murder black owned radio" and in May, the Michigan Broadcasters Association vowed to defeat the measure, claiming it could cost stations in the state more than $63 million annually.
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