Major Broadcasters Hit With $12M Payola Fine

Gr8Apes writes with a just-breaking AP story reporting that the FCC is wrapping up a settlement in which four major broadcast companies would pay the government $12.5 million and provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for independent record labels and local artists. The finish line is near after a 3-year investigation. An indie promoter is quoted: "It's absolutely the most historic agreement that the independent community has had with radio. Without a doubt, nothing else comes close."

Comments

Re:Just the broadcasters?

[Otter]

This is the FCC, not the police. They don't have any authority over the labels.