Washington, D.C. -- In response to the announcement by the House Judiciary Committee that it will markup the American Music Fairness Act next week, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt:
"More than 250 bipartisan cosponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act, including a majority of the House of Representatives, stand with America’s local broadcasters against this onerous performance fee that would irrevocably damage local radio. In spite of this, the recording industry continues its uncompromising pursuit of this one-sided proposal that would upend the relationship between artists and broadcast radio.
"NAB remains committed to working to find a mutually beneficial solution to this decades-old policy disagreement, but this AMFA proposal is not the answer. A markup of this legislation as drafted simply ensures that yet another Congress will pass without meaningful progress on this issue."
On background: The American Music Fairness Act would mandate a new performance tax on free, local radio stations that would jeopardize local jobs, prevent new artists from breaking into the recording business and harm the hundreds of millions of Americans who rely on local radio.
Broadcasters have gained the strong bipartisan support of legislators from across the country to support the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes a performance tax, and is supported by more than 250 members of the House and Senate.
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The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.