A team of 17 Indiana broadcasters met with legislators on both sides of Capitol Hill during the annual Washington, D.C. lobbying week that brought more than 500 broadcasters to Washington, D.C.
Broacasters from Evansville, Salem, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Richmond, Muncie, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Hammond met with Republican and Democratic lawmakers to thank them for their support for initiatives such as the Local Radio Freedom Act (a bulwark to protect radio music licensing.)
Last year, we were energized by the news that some electric carmakers were planning to remove AM radio from electric vehicles. But in the past year, that energy has resulted in bipartisan legislation that seeks to protect AM radio as an essential public service in every new vehicle sold in America. We picked up crucial support in the U.S. House and Senate as an industry, and most of the Indiana delegation is already aboard both the AM radio legislation and the perennial effort to protect the current music licensing system. I’m grateful to the radio and TV broadcasters who made time to visit the Hill and share their viewpoints. Our Hoosier lawmakers are make frequent stops in stations throughout the state, and they were eager to hear our concerns,” said IBA Executive Director Dave Arland.
Two key victories came during the week, with the addition of Rep. Jim Baird (District 4) to the Local Radio Freedom Act and Rep. Larry Bucshon (District 8) agreeing to add his name to the roster of legislators supporting broadcasters.
In addition to music licensing and AM radio, offices were also briefed in the importance of protecting local journalism and the income streams of local stations that have been upended by the growth in video streaming.
