I really don't want to start an overpowering thread, especially in the hot part of the season, but I do want to make a quick comment on the state of things.
By stepping back, it really looks like the whole spectrum of media is trying very hard to alienate the average user. IBOC will force new radios, and probably interfere a number of stations right off the air. And they don't care. TV is going all-digital, and I think we're only beginning to see the awakening of the slumbering masses. The music industry is suing the heck out of the younger generation - and others. There was just a lawsuit against some little company that played a radio for the employees. The customers might accidentally hear it, so they sued. CDs have been way overpriced for years. Music licensing groups are trying to charge the heck out of streaming audio, and now radio stations in general. They also are doing their best to prevent any sort of widespread music distribution. Microsoft with Vista has made it nearly impossible to actually enjoy computer media. Some mp3 players refuse to play some music that people own. There is software under development that can recognize a song by the digital patterns - and then try to apply digital rights management to it. Incredible! Just by trying to play a song, you might lose the ability to play it again - ever. And the list goes on.. IBOC is just a small part of the overall effort to obtain dictatorial control of all forms of media. At some point people will get so fed up with this they will simply abandon most media. The newest generation has already done that. Radio isn't on their radar. My stepson is 21 and a good example of this. I don't remember him listening to the radio for years, nor have any of his friends. They simply never talk about radio. In the unlikely event that IBOC is mandated and analog is shut off, I predict such a huge pirate wave that the FCC or even the state of Florida will be unable to control it. Not only logistically, but politically. There have been some things I have hoped for. First, if the RIAA, SoundExchange and others get their way, I would hope broadcasters get together and have a music-free Monday. Make a day where no radio station plays any music at all. Put promos on the air asking listeners to not buy music either. If radio is so unimportant to the industry, then maybe they need a wakeup call. Second, when a record label calls the music director to see if they can get a song added, refer them to the sales department. Charge them the full advertising rate for the publicity that the song receives when played on that station. If they are going to charge for the apparent value of the music, then the station has every right to charge for the value of the publicity. Third, a group of small station operators get together and file a lawsuit against IBOC interference to their signals. People have had the right to listen to non-local stations since radio was invented. IBOC removes that. The parallel is to real estate. When a property is used for decades by someone who is not the owner, a certain adverse possession right gradually is created. Courts have recognized this for a long time. Why is the ability to listen to non-locals any different? Don't we have an adverse possession right here? I hope a court can be made to see that and act appropriately against IBOC, the FCC and it's proponents. Craig Healy Providence, RI _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: [email protected]
