Forget the Fairness Doctrine--Save Internet Radio
As interesting as I find the back and forth among Messrs. Weyrich, Gottfried, and others, I think we’re missing the forest fire for the trees: Recently imposed FCC regulations, which take effect this month, will cripple thousands of independent Internet radio stations--the most important alternative media apart from blogs--by imposing on them disproportionately high royalties for music (much higher than are paid by mega-broadcasters such as Clear Channel). Supporters of free expression should take action now by making known their support for the Internet Radio Equality Act. Click here to save the future of diverse, independent broadcasting--and my favorite Internet stations, such as those that play Gregorian Chant all day, the Baroque station operated by one guy with great taste in Jerusalem, the Christian bluegrass station run out of somebody’s kitchen in Georgia, the all-Confederate Dixie Broadcasting, and thousands more. Here, my friends, is the real battle for freedom of the media. The day that most people’s car radios can get Internet broadcasting--which can’t be more than 10 years off--will spell the end of the drably uniform debate that pervades talk radio.
While you still have the chance, check out the amazing variety of Internet radio, for instance here.
Comments
You are absolutely correct. This is one of the technological developments that Paul Gottfried missed in his discussion of the Fairness Doctrine.
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Mr. Sarto - thanks for the heads up! Wish I’d known sooner. I listen to a lot of latin music online, but I don’t speak Spanish (so kill me - I like Latin dancing), so if those stations have been giving a call to action I had know idea.
Following the link in the article, I just called my elected representatives and put in my two bits. This does mean they now have my most recent address and will send me campaign contribution solicitations until the sun grows cold and drops from the sky, but that’s okay. I’m happy to see them blow some of their hard earned loot on mailing junk to me. One of these days I’ll get a wood burning stove so I can really put those direct mail pieces to use (I have to be cynical about mailers - I work in printing).
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