The practice of payola has been going on since the invention of the radio, but two years ago Wisconsin Democratic Senator Russ Feingold introduced legislation to Congress that tried to bring a real end to a practice that has monopolized music and closed out radio play to artists without a thick wallet.
Recently, the FCC settled the issue with a laughable $12.5 million. The settlement involved Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Citadel and Entercom.
Stipulations under the Consent Decrees attempted to stiffen penalties for payola violations and require much greater transparency in dealings between record companies and radio stations.
Entertainment Corporations currently group mediums together, including concert venues and CD distribution.
This allows corporations to place immense pressure on stations to promote certain artists and the local venues they book.
This practice hurts artists and consumers. With little to no enforcement, the practice will inevitably continue and shut out independent labels from airplay.
Unfortunately, the system is deeply entrenched, especially with the middlemen promoters known as ""indies.""
This is where payola comes into play.
Record labels hire these third party promoters to get airplay. The indies go between the radio stations and record companies and arrange the deal.
Albums typically have 12 weeks before the next wave washes in, so hiring these middlemen is essential to get airplay.
This practice has been in place for decades and now has come to the point where indies get paid for songs from huge artists— songs whose merit will get them airplay and almost guaranteed hits without the middlemen.
This chump change settlement of $12.5 million will have zero effect on actually curbing payola.
The money will go to fund music education and appreciation in New York, and the broadcasters have also volunteered to air 4,200 hours per year of music by local and independent musicians, which is nice.
However, financial interests should not determine airplay, especially with oft-played songs like ""Fergalicious.""
More than just a few songs, associated with large record companies, should permeate the airwaves.
Culture will always become a commodity, but supporting actions like the Consent Decrees will send the message that people want fair practice in the music market and hopefully a little more variety.
