• grue@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Radio stations are in a privileged position of control over the scarce piece of radio spectrum they use to broadcast, and deserve to be regulated in exchange for that privilege.

    I’m not saying the FCC should force them to play Beyonce, but the “iTs a pRiVatE bUsINeSS” argument is 100% bullshit in this case.

    • WamGams@lemmy.ca
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      8 months ago

      …radio is regulated and the government can’t nor should be allowed to force media to play certain musicians.

      Let us be real, if a law like that is ever enacted, it won’t be to force country music listeners to listen to black artists, it will be to force black listeners to listen to Perry Como.

      Had idea all around.

    • mommykink@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Should radio stations be regulated? Yes (we both agree on this). Should those regulations include forcing them to play songs against their commercial interests? No (we also both agree on this).

      I genuinely don’t even understand what kind of argument you’re trying to make here.

      • grue@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        I genuinely don’t even understand what kind of argument you’re trying to make here.

        I’m pointing out that the “it’s a private business” argument doesn’t apply. The radio station can choose not to play Beyonce because the FCC allows it to make that choice, not because it has some sort of inherent right to make that choice.

        • mommykink@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          not because it has some sort of inherent right to make that choice

          The US legal system works on “all powers not explicitly stated to belong to [governing body] are not granted” so, yes, the radio station does have an inherent right to make that choice. The FCC doesn’t allow them that right. Rather, they don’t forbid them from it, which is completely different.

          • grue@lemmy.world
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            8 months ago

            No, that’s not true. The FCC explicitly has the power (as delegated by Congress) to regulate interstate commerce, which includes radio spectrum since radio waves cross state lines.

            • JimboDHimbo@lemmy.ca
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              8 months ago

              Let it go grue, PP_BOY doesn’t even like black folks, as evidenced by his history. Hell, his hatred for my people is probably part of the reason he commented in the first place.