By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP Last week, we wrote about two dissenting opinions in a Supreme Court decision that highlight the debate that is underway on the principles that govern defamation liability in the United States. While we are reviewing Supreme Court decisions that could have an impact on broadcasters, including on political advertising, we… read more
The MAB is pleased to announce another cosponsor has signed on to H.Con.Res.33, the House Local Radio Freedom Act. Congressman John Moolenaar (R-4) has joined fellow Representatives Jack Bergman (R-1), Debbie Dingell (D-12), Fred Upton (R-6) and Tim Walberg (R-7) in support of the resolution. The NAB reports that they are up to 159 cosponsors… read more
In response to recent incidents of violence involving broadcast journalists, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith released the following: “NAB is gravely concerned by recent incidents of violence directed against broadcast journalists who are covering local news. A cornerstone of American democracy is the right of the free press to document the stories and events… read more
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP The FCC’s Public Notice soliciting updated information in its Quadrennial Review of its broadcast ownership rules, a review begun in 2018, was published in the Federal Register (7/1), setting the deadline for initial comments as Monday, August 2, 2021, with reply comments due Monday, August 30, 2021. As we wrote here when… read more
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP Last week, Congressmen Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced the American Music Fairness Act (see their Press Release for more details) which would impose a new music royalty on over-the-air radio stations. The royalty would be payable to SoundExchange for the public performance of sound recordings. This means… read more
Supporters of a performance right on radio airplay moved to change federal copyright law with the newly proposed American Music Freedom Act, which was introduced Thursday (6/24) by U.S. Reps Tef Deytch (D-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA). Details of the bill were still forthcoming, according to a report in InsideRadio, but like a previous attempt… read more
Three state broadcast associations are fighting against proposed increases in annual regulatory fees on stations. The associations representing broadcasters in Colorado, Florida, and Puerto Rico are also pushing the Federal Communications Commission to rework the process for deciding whether an outlet qualifies for a financial hardship waiver. And, in a separate filing, 50 state broadcast… read more
Gongwer reports that the Department of Technology, Management and Budget would have to issue a directive to all agencies not to use any app, software or other technology on an electronic device that prevents the preservation of a public record under a new bill unanimously passed in the state House on Wednesday (6/23). DTMB has… read more
By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) on Friday (6/11) released the rates and terms for webcasting royalties for 2021-2025, and the rates are going up. While the full decision explaining the reasoning for the rate increases will not be released to the public until the parties to the case have… read more
Gongwer News Service and the multiclient lobbying firm Kelley Cawthorne will host a webinar on where Michigan’s redistricting process stands as the new Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission prepares to draw the state’s political maps for the first time. The webinar will take place via Zoom from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, June 21. Persons interested… read more