WASHINGTON, DC -- NAB today launched a new competition encouraging radio stations across America to produce and air their own 30-second radio spot opposing the performance tax. The competition, dubbed "Don't Tax That Dial," will call on the creative skills and promotional power of radio stations in an effort to thwart a lobbying campaign by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which aims to levy a new fee on radio stations for music aired free to listeners.
The winning entry will be awarded $2,500 and be recognized at The 2009 NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia. Additionally, airfare, hotel accommodations and complimentary NAB Radio Show registration for two will be provided to the winning entry. Entries for the competition, open to over-the-air U.S. broadcast radio stations, must be submitted to NAB no later than 11:00 p.m. (EDT) on July 31, 2009. Stations must fill out a Political Agreement Form and place it in the political portion of their public file for a period of two years. Complete competition rules, guidelines and supporting material can be found on NAB's grassroots advocacy Web site, www.NoPerformanceTax.org.
The "Don't Tax That Dial" radio competition comes in response to a record label-led campaign to begin charging local radio stations a new fee for music aired free to listeners. If enacted, the RIAA-backed legislation would direct 50 percent of the new fee to the record label companies, three out of four of which reside outside the United States. To date, a bipartisan chorus of 200 House lawmakers have expressed opposition to the performance tax.
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NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association
for America's broadcasters. As the voice of more than 8,300 radio and
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