What’s Goin’ On?

As more people turn to the Internet and digital downloads for their music, there has been a steady decline of CD sales. The radio, on the other hand, has played a free, promotional and informative role in launching musical careers and has kept our population updated on national and local community news. International record labels are currently lobbying our Congress pushing for a performance tax on Radio stations for airing free music to millions of listeners. While radio stations across the country are already contributing billions of dollars in free air time every year to help promote artists, the record labels are unsatisfied.  They are now demanding that the government provide them with a hand-out funded with tax money taken from the very same radio stations that are already supporting their artists. It could be a different story altogether if the money went to the artists, instead of just the deep pockets of these foreign-owned record labels to increase their profits.

Why Should I Care

Stations, big and small, are already struggling to keep the radio alive during these economic struggles. The imposition of another tax could result in a cutback in the $6 billion dollars the radio generates every year for our communities through nonprofit organizations and public services. It could also reduce the variety of artists and new music being played or even completely shut down smaller local stations. On top of that it would put the jobs for the 106,000 people that work at radio stations across the country in jeopardy.

That’s whack! How can I help?

While two bills are currently circulating through Congress that would enact this performance tax, contacting these members of Congress with your opposition is the first step. By going to this site and filling in your zip code, you can find your Senators and Representatives. Click on any of them to find their contact information. You can use the website to contact them via “Web Form” which allows you to send an email OR a printed letter. If you would like to see a sample letter, you can take a look at this Word document.

Meanwhile, support your local KCOU student radio station! Become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and friend us on MySpace.

You can also learn  more about the issue at No Performance Tax.org and the Free Radio Alliance of which KCOU is a proud member.