John Conyers Trying To Put Black Radio Stations Out Of Business?

Michigan Democrat John Conyers is head of the House Judiciary Committee, and advocate of "marking up" the Performance Rights Act which who require radio stations to pay artists who have performed on a record that's being played. Opponents of the bill include Rev. Al Sharpton who says that the bill would increase expenses of black stations, which are already struggling in tough economic times. The New York Daily News reports:

The fate of the bill in the full House is uncertain, but it seems to have its best ever chance to pass. It is expected that amendments will be added to make it more palatable to opponents, and Conyers offered one of the first on Friday when he proposed small stations pay only a $500 annual blanket royalty fee. "Small" stations are now defined as those billing less than $1.25 million.

Tom Joyner stated on his show that if the bill passes that black stations will no longer play new music, and would focus on the music established artists. In these times, this bill doesn't sound like a good idea. Music on black radio is already too monotonous, I would hate to see it become even less diverse.