With the Performance Rights Act's "threat of passage now greater than in the past," according to Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays, on Tuesday (June 2) he sent an "urgent" e-mail to the entire staff at Clear Channel Radio asking that they sign a petition against the legislation. The petition, at SaveOurRadio.org, will be circulated to members of Congress.
And with the NAB-backed Local Radio Freedom Act just four co-sponsors away from achieving its goal of 218 signatures, giving it a majority in the House, Mays wants his employees to ask their representatives to co-sponsor the resolution.
"As you all are acutely aware, our company is facing a major hurdle that could have a devastating impact on our industry -- the Performance Tax," begins Mays. "The recording industry is lobbying Congress to pass legislation that would require radio stations to pay a new royalty for every song broadcast over the air."