New Laws Affect Internet Broadcasters And Others

By Paul Philbeck

This legislation will have a lethal affect on internet broadcasters rendering most unable to continue. Additionally this will affect other service companies involved in internet broadcasting. It effectively removes the average broadcaster from the equation, much like laws governing standard radio. Only people with deep pockets will be able to broadcast.

It will additionally remove the listener reach of the newly activated internet radio amber alert system. I personally can't help but wonder how many children's lives may have possibly been saved from this system. It is rumored that the influence of lobbyist whom wish to remove internet broadcasting altogether lead to the passing of this legislation. Once again we see lobbyist and large corporations interests taken into account rather than the average citizen.

It is a travesty of law and will be a great loss to the public in general. The public service aspect of internet radio was just beginning to surface. The internet radio amber alert system is a prime example. Is it worth the price of even one child's life because an amber alert was not heard? I feel this is an injustice to the citizens of our country. Internet broadcasters not only serve broadcasts to the U.S. but also to our soldiers abroad. Internet broadcasters are not limited to a local area and therefore soldiers overseas can tune in to a U.S. station and get news, music and even request and dedicate songs to their loved ones.

I personally through my own internet broadcast have accepted and played these requests and dedications. The representatives need to look at the larger picture once this law is appealed and vote accordingly. Internet broadcasters do much more than just play music. Most broadcasters are a very public minded group and are community oriented. They aren't in broadcasting for the money, they just enjoy doing it. The majority of broadcasters pay all the expenses for their stream to be broadcast including the current royalty rates. I suggest everyone contact their state representative and complain about the this legislation. It isn't fair to broadcasters or us, the citizens of the United States.