Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On Payola and Concentration in the Radio Industry July 25, 2005 I was pleased to hear that New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has come to a settlement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The Attorney General's investigation found that record labels had been regularly making payments or providing gifts to radio stations or their employees in exchange for airplay. As part of the settlement, Sony will halt the practice of making payoffs to radio stations and provide full disclosure of all items of value provided to radio stations. I have long been concerned about these payola schemes, which combined with increasing concentration and vertical integration in the radio industry, have the strong potential for limiting creativity, localism and diversity on our airwaves. I have introduced legislation in the past to promote competition in the radio and concert industries and, while this settlement is a step in the right direction, it provides even more evidence that it is time for Congress to address these issues at a national level.

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