Fans of Birmingham, Alabama’s local internet radio stations like Fried Green Radio and Radio Free Birmingham were getting prepared for it for weeks, yet it still sounds weird. Even one of the pioneers of the movement, WMVY in Martha’s Vineyard, is doing it. Visit these sites and you’re sure to hear silence, or maybe just the sound of crickets in the background.
This is the result of a silent protest organized by large and small online stations alike to draw attention to increased royalty fees that have been proposed by the Copyright Royalty Board and that are scheduled to go into effect beginning in March. Check out the sites to learn more about why it’s being done and what you can do to help.
SaveNetRadio.org
Friends of MVY Radio
Internet Radio’s Day of Silence, RollingStone.com, 6.22.2007
1 comment so far ↓
1 John // Jun 26, 2007 at 7:53 am
Thanks for spreading the word about this, Andre. The new license fees and record keeping requirements will be particularly harmful to small Internet stations, including college stations. Your alma mater’s station began streaming nothing but public service announcements about the issue at midnight and will continue all day. Please contact your elected officials and encourage them to support the Internet Radio Equality Act.
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