FCC proposal could end payola probe

January 11, 2007 FCC commissioners are mulling a staff proposal that could resolve the agency's investigation into payola allegations between the record labels and major radio broadcasters, according to industry and government sources. While details of the Enforcement Bureau's proposal were sketchy, sources said that radio station groups would be required to set aside a certain amount of airtime for music produced independently. Democratic commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, an amateur musician, has been particularly vocal on the payola subject.

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