Ringle, Wis. (PMN)—It has been a year since an increase in royalty fees for webcasters put the future of Internet radio at risk. It especially hit polka radio very hard. Since then, more than 2 million people have called on Congress to save Internet radio, the Internet Radio Equality Act has been cosponsored by 150 Members of Congress, and a hearing was held in the House Small Business Committee. In spite of all, this nothing has changed.

On May 15, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas introduced the Internet Radio Equality Act (IREA) as an amendment to the Orphan Works Bill (S. 2913) while it is being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The IREA would level the playing field for Internet radio webcasters and promote greater parity within the radio industry, while doing away with the discrimination that now forces webcasters to pay fees more than twice as high as their closest competition, cable and satellite radio.

The public can help. It is likely that one of a person’s Senators is a Member of the Judiciary Committee. Citizens can call them and ask them to support independent artists, small businesses and the future of Internet radio. Phone numbers and talking points are available at http://www.capwiz.com/saveinternetradio/alert_9738601.html .

Congressmen should be advised that, though Internet radio is still on the air and artists are still being paid for their work by webcasters, nothing has been resolved and action is needed.