"Above all else, there is the shadow of law."
1851 Harriet Beecher Stowe
Payola and the FCC. Payola is the FCC created name for promotion of musical recordings to be played on air. All significant aspects of Payola are based, not on criminal doings, but on criminalisation. So far, this is the makeup of Payola:
1. A Licensed Profession. Broadcast stations and their employees plus the named promoter are the targets of Payola.
2. An Apparent Crime. Criminalisation comes from important govt people, criminal sounding language, investigation, press headlines and news releases, exposed names of broadcast people, threats of jail time, levied fines of frivolous largesse, & ruined careers made public.
3. The Emperor's New Clothes. The FCC counts on the public, not to find fault with Payola, so far with great success. Most of the few who have heard of Payola, don't get it. If you're in the broadcasting industry and thinking about Payola, you're in the cage.
4.The Freebie Factor. Often, well paid government people become preoccupied with the smaller gratuities, that come with power. FCC fines are created cash.
5. The Big Man. Remove any real scruples, and Payola becomes the fodder of important people who drive the black Victoria, wear dark glasses, and deserve the big paycheck and huge benefits package.
The Shadow of Law Outreach committee of the Radio Literacy Project pursues legal injustices, neglected human rights, and bureaucracy problems. Concerns are posted here. Talented volunteers, including legal practitioners, court witnesses, and (discretely) protesters, are desired to task the limited reach of the committee. Bureaucrats and elected lawmakers shall receive confidentiality and respect in their inquiries with the Shadow of Law Outreach. No Radio Literacy Project committee charges fees or solicits funds. Questions and mission matters are directed to
Prof. Alex Klystron.
Current address: Shadow of Law Outreach RLP
P.O Box 23 Hamden, NY 13782 USA
