Months after one of the world's largest record companies reached a $10 million settlement with New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer over charges of payola, radio giant Clear Channel Communications has fired two programmers for allegedly engaging in "pay for play.
According to a Reuters report, the world's largest radio operator announced Tuesday that it had fired the two unnamed programmers following an internal probe that uncovered evidence of wrongdoing by the two. Clear Channel also announced that other staffers had been disciplined for unspecified inappropriate conduct.
In July, Sony BMG agreed to pay a $10 million settlement after an investigation by Spitzer uncovered evidence of "pay for play," in which the label offered radio programmers cash and gifts to play songs by artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Franz Ferdinand and Good Charlotte in violation of state and federal law (see "Sony BMG Apologizes For Payola Involving J. Lo, Avril, Good Charlotte, Others").
The payola took the form of outright bribes, plane tickets, flat-screen TVs, PlayStation 2 consoles, hotel stays and fictitious listener contests with prizes that actually went to station employees. The announcement of the settlement included allegations that some Clear Channel programmers were among those who engaged in payola.
"If you engage in pay-for-play, you cannot work for Clear Channel," John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel Radio, said in a statement. "We believe the vast majority of our programmers are doing a terrific job, fully within the law."
Spitzer's spokesperson had no comment on the Clear Channel announcement, according to Reuters, but he said that the "wide-ranging" payola investigation is continuing.
New York State's attorney general has said in the past that he would continue investigating payola among the other three major record labels Universal Music Group, EMI Group and Warner Music Group and the largest U.S. radio companies.
Clear Channel said further steps were being taken to prevent future incidents of "pay for play" at its stations.
Gil Kaufman
Not that we didnt already know this shit goes on :lol
According to a Reuters report, the world's largest radio operator announced Tuesday that it had fired the two unnamed programmers following an internal probe that uncovered evidence of wrongdoing by the two. Clear Channel also announced that other staffers had been disciplined for unspecified inappropriate conduct.
In July, Sony BMG agreed to pay a $10 million settlement after an investigation by Spitzer uncovered evidence of "pay for play," in which the label offered radio programmers cash and gifts to play songs by artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Franz Ferdinand and Good Charlotte in violation of state and federal law (see "Sony BMG Apologizes For Payola Involving J. Lo, Avril, Good Charlotte, Others").
The payola took the form of outright bribes, plane tickets, flat-screen TVs, PlayStation 2 consoles, hotel stays and fictitious listener contests with prizes that actually went to station employees. The announcement of the settlement included allegations that some Clear Channel programmers were among those who engaged in payola.
"If you engage in pay-for-play, you cannot work for Clear Channel," John Hogan, CEO of Clear Channel Radio, said in a statement. "We believe the vast majority of our programmers are doing a terrific job, fully within the law."
Spitzer's spokesperson had no comment on the Clear Channel announcement, according to Reuters, but he said that the "wide-ranging" payola investigation is continuing.
New York State's attorney general has said in the past that he would continue investigating payola among the other three major record labels Universal Music Group, EMI Group and Warner Music Group and the largest U.S. radio companies.
Clear Channel said further steps were being taken to prevent future incidents of "pay for play" at its stations.
Gil Kaufman
Not that we didnt already know this shit goes on :lol