Independent labels are finally getting a fair chance in the music industry. The FCC has just passed a new rule that hopes to prevent the payola nonsense that has caused the decline of popular radio. The practicing of payola is illegal, but the FCC has done little to stop the big 4 record companies from continuing the act. This new FCC regulation could be the start of something great.

Now, the FCC has ruled, forcing four major radio broadcast companies — Clear Channel Communications Inc., CBS Radio, Entercom Communications Corp. and Citadel Broadcasting Corp. — to collectively pay the government $12.5 million and provide 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime between the peak listening hours of 6 A.M. and 12 A.M. The airtime will be granted only to independent record labels and local artists not owned or controlled by any of the “big four” labels: Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and EMI Group.

To think… the FCC doing something right? I never though I’d see the day.

Source: Spin.com