Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1401622
For Members T he musicFIRST coalition of industry organizations is throwing its support behind the American Music Fairness Act, which would ensure artists are properly compensated when their music is played by FM/AM radio stations — and SAG-AFTRA is standing with them. The legislation, which was introduced in June by U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, D-Florida, and Darrell Issa, R-California, rectifies an injustice that has existed for decades: Despite the hundreds of billions of dollars that massive media corporations like iHeartRadio and Cumulus have been paid by advertisers, they have never shared a penny of that money with recording artists. Across the country, thousands of recording artists work to create the music we all love and try to support their families doing so, but the rules are rigged against them. The American Music Fairness Act would require FM/AM radio stations whose gross annual revenue is greater than $1.5 million — or stations owned by parent companies whose annual revenue tops $10 million — to pay recording artists for playing their songs. Currently, only the songwriters are paid; however, the performers who bring the songs to life on a recording receive nothing. The bill includes broad exemptions and low annual flat fees for smaller stations and public, college, and noncommercial broadcasters, and protects songwriters by ensuring payment to artists does not come out of their share of royalties. In addition, the act would ensure U.S. recording artists are paid when their music is played on terrestrial radio in foreign countries. "Recording artists, singers and musicians should be paid fairly when their work is played on all formats. While digital, satellite and cable services pay recording artists, singers and musicians for the music they play, terrestrial radio does not pay," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. "We thank Representatives Deutch and Issa for bringing forth the American Music Fairness Act to right this wrong. The AMFA is strategically tailored to protect small, local radio stations and allow recording artists, singers and musicians to reap the benefits of their work." The musicFIRST coalition includes the American Federation of Musicians, American Association of Independent Music, the Recording Academy, the Recording Industry Association of America, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange, among others. For more info, visit the musicFIRST website at musicfirstcoalition.org. SAG-AFTRA, musicFIRST Coalition Support American Music Fairness Act STEVE PIERCE/MUSICFIRST Tell Congress to support the American Music Fairness Act! Dionne Warwick speaks during a press event to introduce the American Music Fairness Act outside of the U.S. Capitol on June 24.