此事没完
美国通信委员会主席要求审阅SONY BMG和纽约司法部长之间的和解协议
执法局开始调查
如果发现违反行贿规定
当局将对SONY BMG立即采取行动
善有商报
恶有恶报
不是不报
时候未到
FCC Chairman KEVIN MARTIN has ordered a review of the settlement between SONY BMG and NEW YORK Attorney General ELIOT SPITZER over payola allegations. In a statement released MONDAY (8/8), MARTIN said "The FCC has longstanding rules prohibiting payola. These rules serve the important purpose of ensuring that the listening public knows when someone is seeking to influence them. Broadcasters must comply with these rules. The Commission will not tolerate non-compliance. While payola may not be a widespread practice in the broadcasting industry, to the extent it is going on, it must stop.
"I have directed the Enforcement Bureau to review the settlement agreement reached by SONY BMG and the NEW YORK Attorney General and investigate any incidents in which the agreement discloses evidence of payola rule violations. If the Bureau determines violations of the payola rules have occurred, the Commission will take swift action. In addition, if the Bureau is presented with evidence of payola rule violations outside of the SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT settlement, it is to thoroughly investigate those complaints as well."
Commissioner JONATHAN ADELSTEIN quickly joined MARTIN in his reaction to the settlement, issuing his own statement applauding MARTIN's decision and noting that the FCC "has an affirmative, statutory obligation to enforce federal payola laws, and we should enforce them vigorously. I believe this payola scandal may represent the most widespread and flagrant violation of any FCC rules in the history of American broadcasting. Mr. SPITZER's office has collected a mountain of evidence on the potentially illegal promotion practices of not only SONY BMG, but also other major record companies, independent promoters and several of the largest radio station groups.
"The airwaves belong to the public, not the highest bidder. The vitality of radio is sapped when music is selected based on bribes rather than merit. Radio listeners are deprived of hearing the freshest music, local artists and creative genius because the labels are predetermining what they get to hear -- and paying to get it played. We owe it to the American public, music lovers and creative artists - the ones who are hurt the most - to end this deception." |