[IRCA] It's more than IBOC..

["Craig Healy" <bubba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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

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