WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, U.S. Representative Howard Berman (CA-28) introduced a bill (H.R. 4789) supporting a “performance fee”on local radio broadcasters. This fee will force local broadcasters to pay record labels and performers for the music that is now aired on the public airwaves free-of-charge. Last month, U.S. Representatives Mike Conaway (TX-11) and Gene Green (TX-29) declared support of free local radio by sponsoring the Local Radio Freedom Act. This bipartisan bill recognizes the significance of local radio in the community and opposes any new performance fees, taxes, royalties or other charges relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings.
