Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/94610
MEMBERS MOBILIZE TO FIGHT INTERNET RADIO BILL P andora Radio and Clear Channel, along with a coalition of other Internet radio companies and tech groups, is supporting legislation that would drastically reduce digital performance royalties for recording artists and background vocalists for the use of their music. he legislation, called the "Internet Radio Fairness Act," would slash payments to our members by potentially as much as 80 percent and would start a race to the bottom in performers' compensation. he musicFIRST Coalition, formed by SAG-AFTRA and other stakeholder groups to end the longstanding loophole in the law that exempts terrestrial radio from having to pay anything to artists for the use of their music — an outrageous injustice completely ignored by this bill — is fighting to defeat the legislation, but your help is needed. Following an alert SAG-AFTRA sent out about the bill, members responded by sending more than 11,000 letters to members of Congress urging them to defeat the bill. As of press time, the fight for fair compensation for artists continues to heat up and your continued efforts to oppose this bill by contacting Congress is of vital importance. Go to SAGAFTRA.org/pandorabill to learn more. SAGAFTRA.org | Winter 2013 | SAG-AFTRA 21