Today is the dawn of a devastating era for internet radio and alternative weeklies. Starting a few hours ago at midnight, small independent radio stations online are going to have to pay royalty fees to the recording industry and alternative weeklies (regardless of political stripe) must pay large increases in their bulk mail rate to the USPS. The revenue that these non-corporate voices is minuscule to the likes of Clear Channel, Hearst and Time Warner and it is these types of companies that wrote these new laws.
From Scholars and Rogues:
This is not a case of ideas triumphing in the free market–this is a deliberate end-run around competition, buying off the government to ensure we only read and listen to approved media materials. And in both cases, grassroots action and media attention have slowed down the process, leading to the introduction of legislation to reverse these decisions. But the public outcry needs to continue to get these decisions reversed. Even the threat of legislation is often enough to get bad actors in the marketplace to change their ways…if you don’t believe me, ask the folks at Save The Internet!
To find out what you can do to help overturn the Internet radio royalty hikes, visit SaveNetRadio.com.
To join the campaign to get the postal fees reversed, check out Free Press’ Stamp Out Rate Hikes.
S&R notes that these voices won't be shut down immediately because both sides are still talking due to increasing pressure from the public. So do your part and add your voice to fight the onslaught of corporate America's invasion into free thought and expression on the net and in print.
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