Local Radio Freedom Act Letter
Local Radio Freedom Act Sample Letter
Please join us in urging House members to cosponsor the Local Radio Freedom Act and protect our radio station! We invite you to use this sample letter, or create your own letter, and communicate with Congress on this important issue affecting our community.
[DATE]
The Honorable ___ _______
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-2303
Dear Rep. _________,
Thank you for the work you are doing in service to our nation.
I write today as a concerned local radio listener to ask that you consider adding your support to the Local Radio Freedom Act (H.Con.Res.33). NRB is an association of Christian communicators whose 1,100 member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. Among NRB’s membership are numerous radio stations and networks that include music in their programming day, and those stations may well face unwarranted and financially damaging royalty fees absent passage of the Local Radio Freedom Act.
Radio stations—particularly in times of emergency—provide a public service that is burdened by the application of additional taxes, laws, and regulations. Broadcasters already pay music licensing fees and provide free promotion, worth billions in music sales, to record labels and artists, and local radio already abides by many costly regulations that do not apply to other platforms. Radio stations are more than the programming listeners hear each day: they are businesses with payroll, rent, taxes, and more. Performance royalties will be absorbed by these businesses in staff cuts, reduced promotional activity, format flips, and other measures to offset the financial impact.
The relationship between radio and performers has long thrived to the benefit of listeners, emerging artists, record labels and stations. New and up-and-coming artists, in particular, rely on local radio for promotion and exposure. The competing bill, the American Music Fairness Act (H.R. 4130), would establish a statutory license for all radio stations, with fees set by the federal government, eliminating the possibility of market-based deals that benefit all parties. Furthermore, the American Music Fairness Act contains no religious exemptions and no cap on higher royalty rates in the future. This constitutes a massive expansion of government into the music licensing space and an undue burden on local radio.
I respectfully urge you to cosponsor the Local Radio Freedom Act. Thank you for your consideration of this request and for your leadership.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
WDJC